This World Ocean Day, June 8th, was a special one for three Pacific early career ocean professionals (aka ECOPs), who are currently aboard the R.V. Tangaroa as part of the third cohort of the Floating University programme.
Chosen from over 200 applicants, this cohort includes Ueakeia Tofinga, the National Hydrography Coordinator for Kiribati, Jessica Maoh, a law graduate and Early Career Ocean Professional posted to Vanuatu’s Department of Ocean and Maritime Affairs, and Florence Townshend, a recent fisheries graduate from the Solomon Islands.
The trio departed Wellington on 4 June for a four-week Pacific voyage, travelling past Tonga and Niue while helping our team service Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunami (DART) buoys that monitor the ocean and provide early tsunami warnings.
They’ll be taking part in hands-on activities with plankton and water sampling, while recording the creatures that call the tsunami buoys ‘home.’ They’ll also get a chance to investigate ocean data collected en route.
At home in Kiribati, Ueakeia founded the Kiribati Women in Mapping organisation to help create pathways for women in geospatial sciences. Although she works with Kiribati’s Hydrographic Unit, this is her first time on a high seas research vessel.
“I am looking forward to executing a mini-project, collaborating with multibeam experts to create high-resolution seafloor maps of one of the DART sites,” she told us.
The Floating University is a partnership between Earth Sciences NZ and the Pacific Community (SPC) Centre for Ocean Science, giving ECOPs the chance to experience life and science at sea while building skills and networks.
Jessica, who has previous experience working as a deckhand and in maritime law, is keen to better understand life aboard a marine scientific research vessel.
“Coming from a legal and policy background, I am particularly interested in experiencing firsthand how scientific research is conducted at sea and how research findings can inform ocean governance and decision-making,” she said.
Programmes like the Floating University help build a Pacific network of future ocean leaders with shared experience and skills. The voyage challenge students with a mix of practical and classroom-based activities, with scientists, technicians and crew all contributing, supported by expert guests who join via satellite.
“What excites me most about this voyage is the opportunity to gain firsthand experience in ocean science while building meaningful connections with fellow participants, scientists and crew members,” Jessica told us.
The youngest member of the cohort, Florence Townshend only recently started working for the Solomon Islands Ministry of Fisheries as a technical assistant. “Being selected for the Floating University is a big step in my early career. I see it as a rare chance to learn in a real ocean setting,” she said.
“I am proud to represent the Solomon Islands, and hope my journey can encourage other young women to take part in similar opportunities.”
This World Ocean Day, we’re thrilled to celebrate these young women who are already making waves.
