Antarctic Mobilization and Media Attention
The four-person team has arrived in windswept and mountain-guarded Ushuaia, Argentina. The Southernmost city in the world, and a jumping off point for Patagonia's National Parks and, of course, ships to Antarctica. We have acquired bait, equipment, and filled out a bunch of forms. Ready and excited to depart tomorrow to study the colossal squid, the world's largest invertebrate, on the Ocean Endeavor tourism vessel. It's been seven years of planning to get us to this point in what has to be the strangest 5-9 side gig of all time.
Starting a non-profit, developing the deep sea camera tech, winning a conservation technology prize, doing a crowdfunder, getting the research permits, securing a vessel, were challenges we knew we had coming at KOLOSSAL. But we did not foresee having COVID remove most Antarctic ship availability, and sadly take the life of one of our primary advisors Dr. Alexander Remeslo - one of the top researchers on the colossal squid. Like the world has, we have seen our ups and downs lately.
But from the encouragement from SubC Imaging and others we kept going, and here we are. We are about to cross the Drake Passage on an incredible scientific adventure with some high-tech deep-sea camera equipment, a really big ship, and an awesome international research team. We have also gained interest from a leading ocean wildlife documentary group who may want any footage we capture of the colossal squid for their next big series!
Today we also received our first major media attention about the expedition with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) who ran this piece below on national television and on the radio. Does a great job introducing you to the expedition and our partners Marine Institute and SubC Imaging.
Check out the story and the video here!
Thank you so much again for making this research expedition dream become reality. Looks like we may have some big waves in store on the infamous Drake Passage aka 'Drake Shake' crossing, we brought the seasickness meds. We will circle back with our findings when we return, maybe a few kilos/pounds lighter.
Let's #getkraken
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