Expedition charts Cook Islands seafloor, amid scrutiny over mining motives

Expedition Explores Cook Islands Seafloor

Thousands of meters below the ocean’s surface, a camera mounted on a remotely operated vehicle revealed a ghostly white creature gliding above a seabed covered with polymetallic nodules—mineral-rich rocks resembling darkened potatoes. This mysterious animal, with orchid-shaped fins gracefully undulating and long, slender tentacles trailing behind, was identified as a bigfin squid (genus Magnapinna).

Rare Encounter with Bigfin Squid

The bigfin squid is an elusive species that scientists have observed fewer than twenty times, and it has never been physically captured. The sighting sparked significant excitement during the expedition.

Expedition Leadership and Funding

Adam Soule, a geologist and oceanographer directing the U.S.-based Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute, leads this mission aboard the vessel E/V Nautilus. The institute, together with its U.S. partner, the Ocean Exploration Trust, operates under a 10-year grant valued at $200 million from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

“One of the cool things about the Nautilus is that there’s a lot of people following online, watching in real time and sending in comments,” Soule said.

Public Engagement

The expedition’s live online broadcasts allow a broad audience to participate virtually, enhancing awareness and interest in deep-sea exploration.

Author's summary: The Cook Islands seafloor expedition revealed a rare bigfin squid sighting, highlighting scientific discovery supported by NOAA funding and global public engagement.

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Mongabay Mongabay — 2025-11-07

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