MANILA: Filipino scientists have started to conduct surveys on the potentially oil-rich Benham Rise, a largely unexplored territory larger than Luzon recently approved by the United Nations as part of the Philippines’ continental shelf.
The team, led by University of the Philippines (UP) oceanographer Hildie Nacorda of the UP Diliman Marine Science Institute (MSI), left May 3 on board a Philippine research vessel for the first benthic survey of the 13-million hectare area off the eastern coast of Aurora province. The team aims to map the bottom of the ecological region of the sea.
Images from the Benham Rise Program, a collaborative research cruise between UP MSI, UPLB and BFAR.
On Tuesday afternoon, two of the researchers have touched the lowest part of Benham, reporting “120 percent coral cover.”
The members of the Benham Rise Program from UP also said they have captured “fascinating” videos of the benthic area.
Nacorda’s group is expected to conduct surveys for two weeks which can pave the way for further research and exploration in the region, a UP statement said.
Agency
