The last day of the Southern Expedition

Today we wind down the Expedition spending the entire day washing and washing, packing and packing.

Here's a last look at the people and happenings at Base Camp before the Expedition shuts down.


At the Preservation Station, we have a last look at the colourful charts of marine life that guided us throughout the Expedition.

Last minute preservation goes on, while stacks of preserved animals are packed away for safe transfer.

Dr Kevin Tilbrook is still at work with his piles of bryozoan samples. Wow, I didn't know we had so many kinds of beautiful bryozoans in Singapore. Behind him Prof Charles Messing is well ahead in his packing up.

Out at the Sorting Shed, there's massive washing up going. With acres of tiny plastic vials, containers, trays, buckets and everything else in between. Washed and laid out to dry.

All the caps are placed in a big pile.

After they are dry, we had great fun tossing them into buckets by shape. We had so much fun, we wanted to pour out the caps and do it again!

Our last lunch together at the dining area. Many are going home today, with the rest leaving tomorrow.

A nice group photo of some of the team of hardworking folks at the Sorting, Preservation, Cryo and Photo stations! Bravo! The Expedition would not have been possible without all of you.

Dr Zeehan Jaafar shows me a photo of the new record goby that she found during the Expedition. Just one of the many discoveries and re-discoveries during the three weeks of intensive surveys. In the weeks ahead, we can look forward to learning more as the scientists study the finds, photographers process and upload their photos and video clips come online!

A final farewell on the whiteboard, accompanied by Chim Chee Kong's wonderful cartoon creatures.

The Northern and Southern Expeditions are over and it will probably be a long long while before we conduct similar exercises.

But the Mega Marine Survey continues for a year or so, with other smaller scale surveys and dredges throughout the year. You CAN be a part of this. There will be lots of other opportunities for volunteers to participate in dredging, field surveys as well as laboratory sessions. To join the Mega Marine Survey, register your interest in this form and you'll be invited to join the mailing list to receive updates on the Survey and sign up for Survey activities. Also check out the FAQs for more about the Survey.