Jakarta. Global ocean exploration nonprofit OceanX and the Indonesian government recently revealed some updates to the so-called Indonesia Mission 2024.

This mission sees OceanX embarking on a series of marine research expeditions in Indonesian waters -- all to be conducted in five legs. The OceanX mission kicked off the mission in May and has made stops in waters around Batam, Aceh, Padang, and Jakarta. It will continue until August 25 with North Sulawesi’s Bitung as its final stop.

In the first leg, the nonprofit’s exploration vessel OceanXplorer succeeded in mapping Indonesia’s seabed which spans over 7,500 square kilometers, while also facilitating the first submersible dive carried out by Indonesian scientists participating in this mission. It also carried out the first remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and camera survey at the location of the 2004 tsunami. Other achievements include observation of the deep coral reefs and the discovery of hydrothermal and thermogenic seeps on the seabed, according to a press release.

The second leg of the mission included some oceanography and geophysics research that put emphasis on marine biodiversity. It also encompassed fishery management in West Sumatra, as well as the characterization of fish species, megafauna, and coral reef ecosystems. The megafauna aerial survey identified hundreds of dolphins, Omura whales, oceanic manta rays, and reef sharks. But they also discovered habitat degradation. Data also showed possible unsustainable fishing mechanisms as seen in the small number of commercial piscivorous fish like snappers and groupers.

OceanX is partnering with the Coordinating Ministry for Marine and Investment Affairs as well as the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) in this mission.

OceanXplorer’s stop in Jakarta also marks a key milestone for OceanX Education amidst the launch of several education initiatives in partnership with the Education Ministry, universities, and nonprofit organizations. In Jakarta and Bali, OceanX Education will hold a tour on the OceanXplorer vessel that involves up to 200 students and teachers. The philanthropic organization Tanoto Foundation is among the tour’s participants. The tour aims to boost access to learning opportunities in the marine sector, while also enabling people to learn more about the waters from a modern research vessel.

OceanX's collaboration with the Tanoto Foundation will involve a number of teachers and students in marine sector education. Aside from the vessel tour, the Tanoto Foundation also provides printed materials for the students, while also hosting live broadcasts from OceanXplorer to the classroom. 

“We are pleased to work with OceanX to provide opportunities for Indonesia’s future leaders to experience life on board the OceanXplorer and see advanced technology. They also get to learn about ocean science and exploration,” Tanoto Foundation Indonesia’s country head Inge Kusuma was quoted as saying in a recent press statement.

According to Inge, the collaboration also aligns with the Tanoto Foundation’s commitment to improving the country’s education and the advancement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Inge added: “We are not only giving these future leaders the valuable lesson of marine conservation but also nurture their understanding in SDGs. Together, we are committed to providing quality and affordable education for both students and teachers across Indonesia.”

From Jakarta, the Young Explorers Program (YEP) will invite two groups of students to participate in activities on board the OceanXplorer for several days. 

Young explorers aged 18-22 will undertake two separate expeditions with the OceanXplorer ship in Indonesian waters. The first group took part in the journey from Jakarta to Bali in July, while the second was from Bali to Bitung at the end of July-August. The YEP program participants consisted of 19 Indonesian citizens from various Indonesian universities such as Universitas Indonesia, Institut Pertanian Bogor, Universitas Brawijaya, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Universitas Hasanuddin, Universitas Padjadjaran, Universitas Diponegoro, and Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember. Eleven students from the US, Singapore, and the Philippines are also joining the expedition.

OceanX also worked alongside the Marine Affairs Coordinating Ministry and Education Ministry to host a series of university lecture tours. They have stopped in Universitas Syiah Kuala and Universitas Andalas Padang. The next sessions are set to take place in Universitas Indonesia, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Universitas Udayana, and Universitas Sam Ratulangi.