Clipperton Expedition 2016 - Scuba dive and tag sharks

In brief

ABOUT THE EXPEDITION

Clipperton 2016 was a citizen-science type expedition where participants were called upon to help in the tagging of sharks, visual ID
of fish species as well as documenting of the atoll.

THE OBJECTIVES

1) Document the reef and coral state surrounding Clipperton Atoll
2) Conduct a census on fish species
3) Document the presence or absence of large underwater animals
4) Tag sharks with acoustical and satellite tags
5) Document the plastic pollution
6) Conduct a census of the endemic Clipperton angelfish
7) Take erosion measurement on 2 points of the island
8) Document, in general, the evolution of the island and of the lagoon

Schedule

SCHEDULE OF THE 2016 MISSION AT A GLANCE

Day	Activities
January 28th - February 1st	Departed at 10:05 from San Jose Del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Sailing 768 Nautical miles to Clipperton Atoll, passing by Socorro Islands.
February 2nd	Land visit of the island under special authorization from the French Government. Documented the atoll, made observations and took measurements.
February 3rd - February 4th	Days of diving to document the reef and conduct census on endemic Clipperton angelfish. Census of fish species and shark tagging with acoustical and satellite tags.
February 5th - February 7th	Sailing back towards Socorro Island, Mexico. Seas were good, uneventful return.
February 8th	Days of diving at Socorro Island, Mexico. Recreational dives.
February 9th	Days of diving at San Benedicto Island, Mexico. Observation of Giant Pacific Mantas and visual ID of individuals.
February 10th	Sail back to departure point: San Jose Del Cabo
February 11th	Arrival and disembarkment. End of an epic journey.

Brief Conclusions

ACTIONS AND CONCLUSIONS AT A GLANCE

1) Publication of an Ichthyologic note (First record of a fish species)
2) Found a new individual Giant Pacific Manta at San Benedicto
3) Publication of a report to the French Government
4) Made a recommendation to protect the atoll and create a Marine Protected Area of 100 Nautical miles
5) Reaffirmed past recommendations to clean the atoll and eliminate the rats.

Detailed report with photos sent to the Explorers Club

TO DOWNLOAD THE REPORT CLICK HERE