ABOUT THE EXPEDITION
Clipperton 2017 was a citizen-science type expedition where participants were called upon to help in the tagging of sharks, visual IDof fish species, documenting of the atoll as well as conducting a marine debris study and beach cleanup.
THE OBJECTIVES
1) Tag sharks with acoustical and satellite tags to study their migratory movements
2) Document the presence or absence of large underwater animals
3) Document the reef and coral state surrounding Clipperton Atoll
4) ID fish found to better the list of known species
5) Conduct a marine debris and beach clean-up
6) Deploy a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) in the lagoon and in deep water
7) Conduct the first public worldwide web conference live from the atoll
8) Remove long lines found on the reef
SCHEDULE OF THE 2017 MISSION AT A GLANCE
|
Day |
Activities |
|---|---|
|
April 29th |
Welcome and general briefing at 19:00. Boarding of the boat at 21:00 and departed at 22:14. |
|
April 30th-May 3rd |
At sea, journey to Clipperton. Activities included the boat safety briefing, diver orientation, daily presentations on Clipperton including history, diving, marine life, scientific missions and roles in the citizen-science program. |
|
May 3rd |
Arrival in Clipperton at 12:41 where the boat anchored. Two afternoon dives. |
|
May 4th–May 8 th |
Diving, tagging and land activities in Clipperton. |
|
May 8th |
Departure from Clipperton at approximately 14:00. |
|
May 9th-10th |
At sea, journey to Socorro Island. |
|
May 11th-12th |
Early morning arrival in Socorro. Four dives and departure at approximately 17:00 for San Benedicto. Four scuba dives and departure on May 12 at approximately 23:00. |
|
May 13th-14th |
Journey back to San Jose Del Cabo. Arrival on May 14 at 01:00 and disembarkment at 09:00. |
ACTIONS AND CONCLUSIONS AT A GLANCE
1) Publication of a report to the French Government 2) Discovered that Clipperton is a nursery for Silvertip and Galapagos sharks 3) Proved that there is connectivity between the Revillagigedos Archipelago and Clipperton 4) Removed more than 3 kilometers of longlines from the reef 5) Conducted a beach clean-up and brought back 94 kilograms of plastics to Mexico 6) Production of an art piece with the marine debris brought from the atoll 7) Aired the first worlwide public web conference 8) Deployed a Rometely Operated Vehicle (ROV) in the lagoon and in deep water
