Press Releases

DARWIN200 Leaders Dive into Deep-Sea Discovery in the Azores Ahead of UK Homecoming

Invitation Darwin200 projects screening

Join us aboard Oosterschelde in Horta, Azores Sunday, July 6th at 6 PM for a celebration of ocean exploration and deep-sea conservation in the Azores

🎬 Watch inspiring short films by Darwin Leaders Cassandra Murrel & Priya Talreja

🌿 Meet the scientists behind groundbreaking coral and biodiversity research

⚓ Step onto the historic Oosterschelde and meet Captain Jan Willem and crew

📍 Aboard Oosterschelde (Horta Port Ferry Entrance gate B)

🥂 Everyone is welcome but places are limited (first reserved, first served)

👉 RSVP: rolf@darwin200.com / WhatsApp +31 6 2280 6001

Through the power of adventure, science, and education, the DARWIN200 voyage has united nations and generations in a shared vision for a more sustainable planet, 

says DARWIN200 founder Stewart McPherson.

Global conservation voyage DARWIN200 aboard historic Dutch tall ship Oosterschelde reaches its final port stop in Azores before making its way home at the end of its incredible journey inspired by the legendary route of HMS Beagle, the ship that carried Charles Darwin on his life-changing voyage in 1831.

DARWIN200 Azores Project Update
30 June – 7 July 2025

Two exceptional Darwin Leaders are charting new frontiers beneath the waves – this week on the remote archipelago of the Azores.

Cassandra Murrel, 26, a marine biologist from Ireland, has joined Dr. Marina Carreiro-Silva and the DeepSeaLab at the University of the Azores to document pioneering research into cold-water corals. These ancient deep-sea ecosystems, increasingly threatened by climate change and the looming prospect of seabed mining, are among the last great frontiers of marine biodiversity.

Meanwhile, Priya Talreja, 25, an environmental policy advocate from California, is working with Dr. Telmo Morato and the Azores Deep Sea Research Group – world leaders in mapping deep-sea ecosystems using cost-effective, cutting-edge tools like the Azor Drift Cam, which streams real-time footage from the ocean floor.

Both leaders will produce short documentary series and essays to share this vital work with audiences worldwide – spotlighting the Azores as a beacon of science, innovation, and deep-ocean stewardship.

This marks some of the final projects of DARWIN200, a two-year global conservation voyage retracing Charles Darwin’s route aboard the historic tall ship Oosterschelde. Since departing the UK in 2023, the mission has trained over 100 young environmental leaders from 46 countries, supported conservation efforts across 31 ports, and inspired thousands of students through live education broadcasts known as The World’s Most Exciting Classroom.

The ship returns to the UK on Saturday 19 July, sailing into Falmouth Harbour at 12:00pm, followed by a celebratory London Thames arrival on 25 July and a series of press and public events at Greenwich Pier. A fitting finale to an extraordinary voyage that’s reignited global passion for science, exploration, and action.

https://www.dutchtallship.com/oosterschelde 

https://darwin200.com/