BRIN Head Arif Satria said the mission is essential for Indonesia to strengthen its marine science capability amid growing international competition.
"As an archipelagic country and the world's epicenter of biodiversity, Indonesia must be able to spearhead marine science in the region," he said in a statement on Wednesday.
He noted that the expedition aims not only to expand scientific knowledge but also to build national capacity to map and manage the deep sea independently.
Satria added that strong maritime research capability is vital for Indonesia to advance and benefit from its blue economy potential.
OceanX Co-CEO and Chief Scientist Vincent Pieribone said the effort provides a valuable opportunity to deepen understanding of Indonesia's underwater environments.
"Seamounts can form currents, are home to rare species, and can serve as a stepping stone toward understanding the deep sea. Of hundreds of seamounts across Indonesia, only a few have been explored," he said.
The expedition began on December 2 with the OceanXplorer research vessel departing from Bitung Port in Bitung City, North Sulawesi. The ship is scheduled to operate until December 22.
The project involves 17 Indonesian researchers, an officer from the Indonesian Navy's Hydro-Oceanography Center, and two officials from the Defense Ministry.
In its initial phase, the mission will focus on geological and hydrothermal research through high-resolution mapping, visual surveys, and seabed profiling to better understand volcanic and tectonic features.
BRIN and OceanX will also deploy remotely operated vehicles, submarines, and other specialized tools to study biodiversity and ecological dynamics across the seamount chain.
The expedition is expected to generate datasets on bathymetry, biodiversity samples, environmental DNA, and AI-annotated images to support marine spatial planning, geological risk assessments, and baseline biodiversity studies in northern Sulawesi.
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Translator: Sean F, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Anton Santoso
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