Hawaiian
Islands
CENTRAL PACIFIC: September 22 – October 12, 2026
The Ocean Census joined the Ocean Exploration Trust on it’s Deep-Sea Habitats of the Hawaiian Archipelago Expedition. This Ocean Census participant expedition will see one scientist from the Ocean Census Science Network working alongside the Ocean Exploration Trust explore the unsurveyed deep seafloor arounf the Hawaiian Islands, including unexplored ridges and seamounts, on board the E/V Nautilus.
Mission brief
This September, an Ocean Census participant scientist will be on board the E/V Nautilus, which will return to the Hawaiian Archipelago for a 20-day expedition to investigate these little-known environments, surveying previously unmapped and unexplored areas of the deep seafloor.
The expedition will focus on unexplored ridges and seamounts in the eastern portion of the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary, as well as abyssal plain habitats southwest of the Main Hawaiian Islands. Using the vessel’s advanced ROV, mapping and telepresence systems, the team will document deep-sea habitats and the life they support, while a benthic lander and low-light camera system will also be deployed to support deep-sea coral monitoring.
Be sure to follow @oceancensus and @nautiluslive on social media to keep up to date with this fascinating expedition.
Mission Partners
Mission facts
Dates
22 September – 12 October 2026
Duration
20 days
Location
Hawaiian Islands
Type
Participant
Image credits
Ocean Exploration Trust
Meet our participant scientist: Bella Iannotta Vignette
Growing up in the Florida Keys, Bella Iannotta Vignette developed an early fascination with the ocean and the life it supports. Now a graduate student at the University of South Florida’s College of Marine Science, Bella’s research focuses on abyssal polymetallic nodule fields and the biological and sedimentary processes shaping these little-explored ecosystems.
Bella brings extensive experience in deep-sea research to the Hawaiian Islands expedition, having previously worked across the Pacific on benthic habitat characterisation, biological specimen collection and taxonomic identification. During the expedition, she will work alongside the ROV team and scientists ashore to identify and collect biological specimens and geological features of interest across seamounts and abyssal plains. She will also help share the science and discoveries of the expedition with audiences through live streams and onboard outreach.
Passionate about uncovering the mysteries of the seafloor, Bella is particularly interested in improving our understanding of abyssal ecosystems and the role this knowledge can play in informing ocean conservation, policy and resource management.
Expedition
Highlights
News
Participant Expeditions
Ocean Census supports a range of expeditions and opportunities for scientists to get onboard, helping to add capacity to species discovery worldwide.
Participant Expeditions give specialists from our Science Network and media experts the opportunity to join expeditions led by our Partners, gain at-sea skills, and exchange knowledge with other professionals.
Find out more and get involved by joining our Science Network today.
Join the census
The Ocean Census Alliance unites national and philanthropic marine institutes, museums, and universities, backed by governments, philanthropy, business and civil society partners.
