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The 2021 UK Voyage

Building on the very successful 2020 UK Voyage,
the DARWIN200 team undertook a 13-week test
voyage around the UK to develop our systems
and prepare for the 2023-2025 Global Voyage.

One of the objectives of the 2021 UK Voyage
involved undertaking simultaneous systematic
research projects and beaming data live.

A summary of research findings is presented
below!

Young Scientists, Research Surveys
and Results Event

In preparation for the Global Voyage, 90 young scientists and trainee sailors from countries across the world took part in the 13-week 2021 UK Voyage.

The DARWIN200 ship circumnavigated the British Isles and visited remote islands, including St Kilda, Rockall, Staffa and Muckle Flugga.

A 5-person dive team were on board the DARWIN200 ship throughout the voyage to undertake sediment sampling and marine biology surveys.

During the course of the voyage, the young scientists undertook four UK-wide systematic research projects:

Each research team created the following data maps and results films, and all resulting data was uploaded to key databases to support researchers and future conservation efforts.

Representatives of each team of young scientists presented a summary of their findings in a concluding results which featured Dr. Jane Goodall.

The results event was beamed live from the DARWIN200 ship in London on August 11th, 2021 (see below).

  • Plastic Pollution Survey (sampling and analysis of floating macro plastics, suspended micro plastics and washed ashore plastic via beach transects, as well as collection of sediment samples to analyse plastic on the sea bed).
  • Marine Megafauna Survey (to record the numbers and behaviour of whales, dolphins, sunfish, bluefin tuna, basking sharks and other species).
  • Seabird Count (records of species that were observed, and where possible, counts of individuals that were encountered).
  • Seasearch Surveys of Marine Life (studies by the dive team of marine life, with a particular focus on recording and reporting invasive, non-native species).

2021 UK Voyage Overview Film

The following film provides an overview of the 2021 Voyage, and the research objectives with the 90 participating young scientists and trainee sailors engaged in during the course of their circumnavigation around the British Isles.

 

On August 11th, 2021, the DARWIN200 team presented held a live results event. Representative young scientists from each projects prepared summaries of each of the research projects which were beamed live to an online audience, including Dr. Jane Goodall, who spoke to the team about their findings! The following is a recording of the live results event:

Below the results map from each research project is presented, along with three films by young scientists that took part!

Marine Megafauna Study

During the 13 week DARWIN200 2021 UK Voyage, the young scientists undertook a systematic survey for key marine megafuna species, noting behaviour and other key information. The resulting findings was contributed to international conservation databases.

Click on one of the tabs below to filter results displayed on the map below, and click on each entry on the map for more information.

Also, see the following video by DARWIN200 Science Co-Ordinator Hannah Whitman.



During the 13 week DARWIN200 2021 UK Voyage, the young scientists undertook a systematic survey for key marine megafuna species, noting behaviour and other key information. The resulting findings was contributed to international conservation databases.

Click on one of the tabs below to filter results displayed on the map below, and click on each entry on the map for more information.

Also, see the following video by DARWIN200 Science Co-Ordinator Hannah Whitman.

Key
  • Dolphin
  • Whale
  • Sun Fish
  • Seal
  • Porpoise

Seabird Count Study

During Legs 2 and 3 of the 2021 UK Voyage, records of seabird species were made as the DARWIN200 ship sailed amongst the most northerly British Isles. The young scientists recorded the species of seabirds that were observed, and where possible, counts of individuals that were encountered.

Click on one of the tabs below to filter results displayed on the map below, and click on each entry on the map for more information.

Also, see the following video by DARWIN200 Young Scientist Vikram Malhi.



During Legs 2 and 3 of the 2021 UK Voyage, records of seabird species were made as the DARWIN200 ship sailed amongst the most northerly British Isles. The young scientists recorded the species of seabirds that were observed, and where possible, counts of individuals that were encountered.

Click on one of the tabs below to filter results displayed on the map below, and click on each entry on the map for more information.

Also, see the following video by DARWIN200 Young Scientist Vikram Malhi.

Key
  • Guillemot
  • Razorbill
  • Gull
  • Auk
  • Cormorant
  • Shearwater
  • Shag
  • Gannet
  • Heron
  • Puffin
  • Kittiwake
  • Tern
  • Fulmar
  • Skua

Plastics Pollution Survey

In partnership with CitytoSea, DARWIN200 undertook an ambitious Plastics Pollution Survey around the British Isles during the 2021 UK Voyage.

Recognising plastic pollution is among the most pressing conservation issues of our time, the young scientists aboard the DARWIN200 ship worked with CitytoSea to develop the methodology of the survey and undertake its execution. Over the 13 week 2021 voyage, the team undertook sampling and analysis of floating macro plastics, suspended micro plastics and washed ashore plastic via beach transects, as well as collection of sediment samples to analyse plastic on the sea bed.

Click on one of the tabs below to filter results displayed on the map below, and click on each entry on the map for more information.

Also, see the following video by Plastic Pollution Survey Coordinator Jo Morley.




In partnership with CitytoSea, DARWIN200 undertook an ambitious Plastics Pollution Survey around the British Isles during the 2021 UK Voyage.

Recognising plastic pollution is among the most pressing conservation issues of our time, the young scientists aboard the DARWIN200 ship worked with CitytoSea to develop the methodology of the survey and undertake its execution. Over the 13 week 2021 voyage, the team undertook sampling and analysis of floating macro plastics, suspended micro plastics and washed ashore plastic via beach transects, as well as collection of sediment samples to analyse plastic on the sea bed.

Click on one of the tabs below to filter results displayed on the map below, and click on each entry on the map for more information.

Also, see the following video by Plastic Pollution Survey Coordinator Jo Morley.

Key
  • High
  • Medium
  • Low

Seasearch Surveys of Marine Life

A 5-person dive team were on board the DARWIN200 ship throughout the voyage to undertake Seasearch surveys at key locations around the UK. The occurrence, abundance and distribution of rare and vulnerable species were recorded, and the presence of invasive, non-native species was reported, where detected.

All resulting data was uploaded to key databases to support researchers and future conservation efforts.

Find out about the DARWIN200 Global Voyage

A 5-person dive team were on board the DARWIN200 ship throughout the voyage to undertake Seasearch surveys at key locations around the UK. The occurrence, abundance and distribution of rare and vulnerable species were recorded, and the presence of invasive, non-native species was reported, where detected.

All resulting data was uploaded to key databases to support researchers and future conservation efforts

Seasearch Results Map

Films by Young Scientists

The following films were created by young scientists aboard the 2021 UK Voyage to provide an overview of the activities undertaken during our journey around the British Isles.

Solphia Zhou’s research projects aboard the DARWIN200 2021 UK Voyage



Kainaat Hussain’s research projects aboard the DARWIN200 2021 UK Voyage



Special Thanks to the Sponsors of the
DARWIN200 2021 UK Voyage

Plastic Study Data Collection Form

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Sea Search Map Data Collection

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Sea Birds Data Collection Form

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Marine Megafauna Data Collection Form

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