🌊🐟 After an epic 110-day adventure across the Indian Ocean, China's largest and most advanced research vessels, the Lanhai 101 and Lanhai 201, have docked back home, bringing with them a treasure trove of 112 newfound ocean species! 🌊✨
From mighty marlins to tiny plankton, these two ocean explorers covered a whopping 20,000 nautical miles, hitting up 103 sampling stations in the northwestern Indian Ocean. Talk about a journey! 🚢🌏
\"Capturing such a diverse range of species is like uncovering the ocean's hidden playlist! 🎶🐠,\" exclaimed Jin Yue, the chief scientist on Lanhai 101. \"This will supercharge our efforts in preserving genetic resources and breeding new varieties in the future.\"
One of the coolest finds? A gigantic Indian Ocean sunfish tipping the scales at 500 kilograms! 🐡💪 Can you imagine the size of that thing?
The team didn't just scoop up fish. They collected data on upper-layer fish, cephalopods, crustaceans, plankton, fish eggs, larvae, and even the water environment itself. Basically, everything but the kitchen sink! 🧪🌊
Zhao Xianyong from the Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute gave a shoutout to the mission, saying it filled a crucial gap in China's knowledge of offshore fisheries. \"This is huge for sustainable development and protecting our marine friends,\" he noted. 🌱🐳
Some of these precious samples are heading to the National Fishery Biological Germplasm Resource Bank for long-term preservation. Think of it as the ultimate oceanic time capsule! 🏦🐚
So, what's the deal with these super ships? At 84.5 meters long and 15 meters wide, the Lanhai 101 and 201 are built to brave the waves, except for icy zones. With a range of 10,000 nautical miles, they can basically sail around the world! 🌍🚢 Plus, they can carry 60 researchers for up to 60 days. Talk about a floating science lab! 🔬🌊
\"Our vessels have top-notch gear like mid-upper trawl nets and longline squid fishing operations,\" Jin added. \"We're ready to dive into more ocean mysteries!\" 🕵️♂️🐙
This voyage isn't just about numbers and data—it's about connecting with the heart of our planet's last frontier. Who knows what other secrets the deep blue holds? 🌌🌊 Stay tuned for more oceanic adventures! 🌟
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
