KOROR, Palau — The Ocean Exploration Trust, in partnership with Palau, has made groundbreaking discoveries through the Lebuu Voyage, an expedition dedicated to mapping and exploring the Palau National Marine Sanctuary. After a yearlong planning, the Trust’s research vessel, Nautilus, has uncovered a variety of previously unknown marine species and mapped vast underwater areas, revealing a richly diverse and ecologically critical habitat.
One of the expedition’s most notable finds is a 4,500-year-old black coral, adding to the inventory of Palau’s unique marine biodiversity. Dense coral gardens, rich in sponges and other marine life forms, have also been identified, helping scientists gain a clearer understanding of the sanctuary’s ecosystem. The expedition team, equipped with advanced seafloor mapping sonars and sampling tools, has conducted multiple dives, collected valuable samples, and completed extensive seafloor mapping—covering an area comparable to making 50 round trips across Palau’s main island.
During the 10-day mission, the expedition mapped 2,170 km of seafloor, conducted 7 successful ROV dives and 93 hours of ROV exploration, collected 183 samples, conducted 51 live ship-to-shore interactions with 2,025 ship-to-shore participants and had 700,000 social media views.
“We are co-developing this initiative with the people of Palau, ensuring that these discoveries support long-term conservation and education within the community,” said Dr. Robert Ballard, founder of the Ocean Exploration Trust.
The mission’s collaborative spirit is reflected in a series of initiatives engaging local communities and scientists. The Trust organized art contests, workshops for Palauan educators, and invited local scientists aboard for hands-on research experiences. Partnerships with regional collaborators, including American Samoa, have furthered this effort, with planned exhibits and educational programming to showcase the findings.
For the scientific community, these discoveries will directly inform marine spatial planning and conservation efforts within Palau’s sanctuary. The samples and environmental DNA collected will also aid in establishing a long-term monitoring strategy, ensuring sustainable management of this significant marine protected area.
The Lebuu’s Voyage emphasizes the importance of inspiring the next generation of ocean advocates. The expedition is broadcast live on the Nautilus website, where viewers can engage in real-time and interact with the crew. Educational resources, available in the Palauan language, complement these efforts, encouraging young Palauans to join the journey of exploration and conservation.
“We hope that the Lebuu Voyage not only expands our understanding of the ocean but also deepens our connection to it,” said one of the expedition’s lead scientists. “With each discovery, we come closer to preserving Palau’s natural heritage for future generations.”
The expedition will continue its work, with invitations extended to Palauans for ship tours and engagement sessions with the Nautilus team.