- 14 Mar 2002
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Collaborating with the Nippon Foundation–Nekton Ocean Census initiative, JAMSTEC is set to deploy its renowned deep-sea submersible, the Shinkai 6500 (しんかい6500), on a 20-day research mission exploring biologically rich deep-sea areas within Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone. The expedition will focus on regions such as the Nankai Trough and the Schichiyo Seamounts, both of which are known for their ecological diversity.
Shinkai 6500 (photo credit: JAMSTEC)
The primary goal of the mission carried out aboard the research vessel Yokosuka is to uncover previously unknown marine species, expanding scientific understanding of life in the ocean's most remote and least studied regions.
Dr Takeshi Kawano, Executive Director at JAMSTEC, described the voyage not only as an exploration of uncharted waters but as a collaborative effort that merges scientific knowledge and shared global ambitions, noting that with the Shinkai 6500 at its centre, the mission underscores the potential of international cooperation to drive forward deep-sea research and contribute to protecting biodiversity. The Ocean Census initiative, launched in 2023 by the Nippon Foundation and UK-based charity Nekton, is currently the world's most extensive programme dedicated to accelerating the identification and documentation of new marine species. JAMSTEC's expedition stands as Japan's leading contribution to this global undertaking, which has received official backing from the United Nations Ocean Decade.
The Shinkai 6500, capable of diving to depths of 6,500 metres, has conducted over 1,800 dives since its commissioning in 1990. It continues to represent Japan's leadership in deep-sea exploration. It remains a key asset in the country's scientific outreach beneath the ocean surface.
oceanographicmagazine.com
www.jamstec.go.jp
Shinkai 6500 (photo credit: JAMSTEC)
The primary goal of the mission carried out aboard the research vessel Yokosuka is to uncover previously unknown marine species, expanding scientific understanding of life in the ocean's most remote and least studied regions.
Dr Takeshi Kawano, Executive Director at JAMSTEC, described the voyage not only as an exploration of uncharted waters but as a collaborative effort that merges scientific knowledge and shared global ambitions, noting that with the Shinkai 6500 at its centre, the mission underscores the potential of international cooperation to drive forward deep-sea research and contribute to protecting biodiversity. The Ocean Census initiative, launched in 2023 by the Nippon Foundation and UK-based charity Nekton, is currently the world's most extensive programme dedicated to accelerating the identification and documentation of new marine species. JAMSTEC's expedition stands as Japan's leading contribution to this global undertaking, which has received official backing from the United Nations Ocean Decade.
The Shinkai 6500, capable of diving to depths of 6,500 metres, has conducted over 1,800 dives since its commissioning in 1990. It continues to represent Japan's leadership in deep-sea exploration. It remains a key asset in the country's scientific outreach beneath the ocean surface.
Japan leads 'groundbreaking' mission to its deepest regions - Oceanographic
Japan will lead a groundbreaking international expedition to document new life in the deepest regions of its Exclusive Economic Zone.
oceanographicmagazine.com
有人潜水調査船「しんかい6500」 | JAMSTEC | 海洋研究開発機構 | ジャムステック
「しんかい6500」は、深度6,500mまで潜ることができる潜水調査船です。1989年に完成し、日本近海に限らず、太平洋、大西洋、インド洋等で、海底の地形や地質、深海生物などの調査を行い、2017年には通算1500回目の潜航を達成しました。現在運航中の大深度まで潜ることのできる有人潜水調査船は、世界でも7隻しかありません。その中で「しんかい6500」は、日本のみならず世界の深海調査研究の中核を担う重要な役割を果たしています。
