Mystic Aquarium and University of Connecticut to Lead Ocean Exploration Expedition to Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument

This summer, Mystic Aquarium will lead an interdisciplinary team of scientists and educators on a research expedition to the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, a federally protected marine area located approximately 130 miles southeast of Cape Cod. Viewers will be able to follow along and tune into livestream events, which are linked below.

Departing aboard the Research Vessel (R/V) Connecticut on July 29, 2026, the expedition will study the marine life and ocean conditions throughout the monument, examining species that inhabit the surface waters, water column, and surrounding airspace. Research efforts will include observations of seabirds, plankton, sharks, whales, and other marine wildlife.

Established in 2016, the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument protects nearly 5,000 square miles of ocean habitat and is the only Marine National Monument in the U.S. Atlantic Ocean. The protected area includes deep submarine canyons and seamounts—underwater mountains formed by extinct volcanoes—which influence ocean circulation and support a diverse range of marine species. The monument serves as an important feeding ground for whales, dolphins, seabirds, sharks, tuna, sea turtles, and other species and is home to rare and ancient deep-sea corals, some thousands of years old.

The team includes scientists and educators from Mystic Aquarium, Yale University, the University of Rhode Island, the University of Connecticut, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Dr. Paola Batta-Lona, Research Assistant Professor at the University of Connecticut and Mystic Aquarium Scientist-in-Residence, will serve as the expedition lead.

Scientists will use a variety of research methods, including environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling, underwater video systems, plankton surveys, and seabird surveys. The team expects to conduct research at multiple locations within the monument, including canyon and seamount habitats, to compare ecological communities and examine how environmental conditions influence species distribution and behavior. New species are regularly discovered during expeditions to the monument, and research on deep-sea organisms has even contributed to medical advances.

The expedition team will study:

• Apex Predators: The team will deploy baited remote underwater video systems to study the behavior and interactions of sharks and other large predators.
• Environmental DNA (eDNA): Dr. Paola Batta-Lona will collect and filter seawater samples to identify species through traces of genetic material left behind in the water. 
• Seabirds: U.S. Fish and Wildlife biologists will conduct seabird surveys using high-powered binoculars and telephoto cameras to document seabird abundance and feeding activity. 
• Gelatinous Zooplankton: Dr. Mary Beth Decker will use specialized nets and imaging systems to study plankton and fragile gelatinous animals, such as jellies, that form the foundation of the ocean food web.

The expedition will complement other ongoing research efforts in the monument, including deep-sea exploration missions and quarterly aerial surveys that study marine mammals such as whales and dolphins.

“The monument is a living laboratory — a rare place where we can study ocean ecosystems that remain relatively undisturbed,” said Dr. Paola Batta-Lona, expedition chief scientist. “As our oceans rapidly change, these protected areas provide invaluable opportunities to understand biodiversity, species interactions, and ecosystem resilience.”

In addition to scientific research, the expedition team will collect underwater, topside, and aerial imagery to support educational programming and public engagement. Content generated during the expedition will be shared through digital platforms, livestreams, and educational resources, and incorporated into Mystic Aquarium's Ocean Refuge exhibit. Through this exhibit, guests can journey into the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument and discover the extraordinary wildlife, underwater landscapes, and ocean exploration efforts connected to this protected Atlantic wilderness.

“This expedition is critical in so many ways. Not only for the cutting-edge research that will be conducted, but the sharing of the findings with the public and students of all ages,” said Dr. Tracy Romano, Vice President of Research for Mystic Aquarium. “Through outreach and engagement we hope to inspire the next generation of marine scientists, explorers, and conservationists.”

The expedition is supported through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which co-manages the monument with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It marks Mystic Aquarium’s second research expedition to the monument, a region that scientists have studied for decades but still holds many mysteries.

Audiences can learn more at mysticaquarium.org/expedition and follow along on YouTube for ship-to-shore live stream events on Tuesday, August 4, at 1:00 p.m. ET and Thursday, August 6, at 7:00 p.m. ET.

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ABOUT MYSTIC AQUARIUM
Mystic Aquarium, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, is one of the world's leading aquariums, offering exemplary care to a variety of species while also serving as the northeast's premier marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation center. Robust conservation and education programming and unparalleled visitor experiences strengthen personal connections to the animals and their environments. Mystic Aquarium's mission is to inspire people to care for and protect the ocean planet through conservation, education, and research, and introduces approximately 800,000 guests annually to thousands of animals through structured interpretation, especially curated exhibits, and hands-on interactions. As a leading research organization, Mystic Aquarium employs a full staff of scientists engaged in projects focused on the ocean planet's conservation and sustainability. For more information about Mystic Aquarium please visit www.mysticaquarium.org.