MYSTIC, Conn. [July 22, 2024] – Mystic Aquarium and an interdisciplinary team of scientists set sail July 19 aboard the Research Vessel (R/V) Connecticut for an expedition to the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. Designated as a marine protected area in 2016, the Northeast Monument is located about 130 miles off Cape Cod, and spans an area roughly the size of Connecticut. 

The Northeast Monument features three undersea canyons and four seamounts that support a rich diversity and abundance of marine life. It represents the only highly protected area in the U.S. Atlantic, and the only entanglement-free zone for migrating marine mammals and sea turtles along the entire eastern seaboard.

Dr. Peter Auster, Senior Research Scientist at Mystic Aquarium and Research Professor Emeritus at the University of Connecticut, leads this expedition. The team, composed of scientists and educators, will collect data across five key areas. The research cruise is supported through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which co-manages the monument with NOAA National Marine Fisheries.

"The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is excited to join our partners on this expedition," said acting monument superintendent Meta Miner. "This special area, now protected and managed by the Service and NOAA, is fascinating and we look forward to learning more about the Monument and its inhabitants."

Key Research Activities:

• Dr. Peter Auster will scuba dive and deploy baited remote underwater video cameras to study apex predators.
• Meta Miner and Dr. Mael Glon from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will conduct seabird surveys.
• Dr. Yuan Liu of NOAA Fisheries will collect environmental DNA to analyze biodiversity.
• Dr. Mary Beth Decker from Yale University will tow a plankton camera and use a specialized net to collect and identify gelatinous animals.

The team will also support studies by colleagues onshore, including collecting fish larvae to understand spawning patterns and testing new technology for tracking deep-sea fish.

“The Monument is an ocean wilderness,” says Dr. Auster. “It’s an extraordinary opportunity to study how wild animals live and interact in a relatively undisturbed environment.” He notes that the R/V Connecticut, operated by the University of Connecticut’s Department of Marine Sciences, is an ideal platform for this multifaceted research.

Susette Tibus, President and CEO of Mystic Aquarium, emphasizes the importance of ocean conservation. “As stewards of our planet, it is our duty to protect our oceans and their biodiversity for future generations. We are grateful to Senator Blumenthal and the entire Connecticut delegation for their leadership in ocean conservation, and to our partners who make this work possible.”

Digital media collected during the expedition will update the aquarium’s Ocean Refuge exhibit and website, highlighting careers in marine science and ocean conservation. A special live event will connect youth across the state of Connecticut with expedition scientists. Videos highlighting ocean wildlife, cutting edge research and technology, and the people that make it happen, will be shared on the Aquarium’s Facebook and Instagram channels and on Mystic Aquarium’s website.

For more information and updates on the expedition, visit www.mysticaquarium.org or contact media@mysticaquarium.org.