Discover the mission of 42 Colombian researchers in the Colombian Pacific

On April 29, 1783, the botanical expedition led by José Celestino Mutis began, even after almost three centuries, much of the natural wealth and biodiversity colombiana remains to be discovered.

In order to pursue this important objective, the Colombian Ocean Commission announced on March 6 the start of the Pacific Scientific Expedition 2023which will continue until March 30 and will cover the Gulf of Tribuga– Cape currents.

These geographical features are located in Chocó, 120 kilometers from the capital of this department, and their jurisdiction corresponds to the municipality of nuquiand are recognized as natural and endemic areas where jungle and marine ecosystems are found.

Due to its richness and environmental characteristics, this area was declared a regional district of integrated management in 2014, which allowed 60,138.6 hectares to benefit from special treatment. Due to its location, it is also a strategic area for the nesting of whales and sea turtles.

It is made up of pelagic environments, rocky reefs, coral reefs, muddy bottoms, estuaries, mangrove forests, beaches and rivers.

During the 24 days that the dispatch, 42 researchers will visit the area, 12 research projects will be developed, all marked in the Pacific Program of the National Plan for Marine Scientific Expeditions, which has the support of 10 institutions.

The central objective of this program is to contribute to the social awareness and to promote the appreciation of this territory, which is considered internationally as a point of reference for the biodiversity.

But the proposal is not limited to biological and environmental aspects, the relationship of the communities with the territory will also be taken into account, given their spiritual and social ties. This in a perspective of interdependence and on the basis of the concept of global knowledge.

Among the activities that will be carried out are sampling activities on the ocean floor, through monitoring by diving, small boats, in addition to the exploration of mangrove forests, the study of traditional fishing techniques , as well as workshops and meetings with the communities.

The Pacific program, as well as the scientific expeditions Promoted by the government, they seek to make the country aware of the heritage and natural importance of the national territory, while managing to measure the complexities that occur in these areas of the country.

Among the entities participating in the expedition are the National Navy, the Agustín Codazzi Geographical Institute, the National Natural Parks of Colombia, Codechoco, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, the Ministry of the Environment and sustainable development, among others.

The funding provided by the commission It included expenses related to the deployment of small research vessels, equipment for common use, daily allowances for researchers, as well as elements intended for the promotion of publications and the generation of content in academic circulation spaces.

This expedition acquires a political character if we consider that very close to the research point they wanted to build the mega port of Tribe, an infrastructure work that would seek to compete with the port of Buenaventura. It is important to remember that the communities of the region and the environmental authorities have requested the relocation of the project, due to the environmental consequences that the port could entail.