WNAM REPORT: Research vessel Shenhai Yihao, or Deep Sea No. 1, carrying China’s manned submersible Jiaolong, departed from Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province, on Sunday, as part of the 2024 Western Pacific International Voyage. The vessel will conduct a 45-day scientific mission in the Western Pacific Ocean.
Jiaolong is scheduled to make 18 dives to collect deep-sea organisms, seawater and sediments, so as to deepen the understanding of the unique ecosystems and environments of seamounts.
Tang Dongmei, a senior official of the Ministry of Natural Resources, said at the launch ceremony that the China-led Digital Deep-sea Typical Habitats Program had gained the support and participation of 39 countries.
As the first international voyage under the program, the expedition involves scientists from Canada, Spain, Colombia and other countries and regions.
