The Sustainable Seas Institute team has returned safely from our ten-day expedition through the Lesser Antilles, and I am thrilled to report that the mission was a resounding success. From the volcanic peaks of St. Lucia to the vibrant harbors of Guadeloupe, our journey from December 30 to January 8 provided not only crucial scientific data but also a profound reminder of why we fight to protect these ecosystems.
Mission Accomplished: A Data-Rich Journey
Our primary objective was to map invisible contaminants in near-shore environments, and we successfully executed our sampling protocols across the entire planned route. Despite the challenges of open-ocean transit and variable weather, we secured viable water samples from:
- St. Lucia
- Martinique
- Dominica
- The Saints (Les Saintes)
- Guadeloupe
These samples are now safely stored in our shoreside laboratory, where analysis is already underway. We anticipate that this data will provide a high-resolution baseline for understanding the impact of agricultural and industrial runoff and micro-plastics in the region.
Beyond the Science: The Wilds of the Caribbean
While the science was our compass, the environment itself was the true star of the voyage. One of the most unforgettable highlights was the abundance of marine life; we were fortunate enough to encounter sea turtles navigating the currents—a promising sign of resilience in these biodiverse waters.
The island of Dominica proved to be particularly awe-inspiring. Often called the “Nature Island,” the wilds of Dominica lived up to their reputation, offering dramatic vistas of lush rainforests plunging into the sea. It was a stark, beautiful contrast to the deep blue of the open ocean that served as our home for the duration of the trip.
Connections and Community
Science does not happen in a vacuum, and this trip was enriched by the people we met along the way. From local fishermen to fellow conservationists, the connections we made in these island communities were as valuable as the samples we collected. Their stories and local knowledge provided context that no instrument can measure.
As we settle back into the lab to process the data, we carry with us the memory of the Caribbean’s raw beauty. This expedition was a powerful start to 2026, and we look forward to sharing our analytical results in the coming months.
