MAJURO, MARSHALL ISLANDS — June 8, 2026 — H.E. President Hilda C. Heine descended beneath the waters of Majuro in a National Geographic Pristine Seas submersible from onboard the MV Argo, where Her Excellency gained a rare firsthand perspective on the deep-sea ecosystems that are among the Marshall Islands’ ongoing areas of focus in conservation efforts. The dive took place on the oceanside of Ajokla, Majuro following President Heine’s return from the Island States Ocean Summit in Tokyo, where she joined fellow leaders in advancing shared global ocean priorities.
Diving into the depths of the ocean, the experience offered a unique perspective on the richness and importance of the Marshall Islands’ marine environment. The submarine dive comes as the world observes World Oceans Day today, a moment that underscores the global urgency of protecting and sustaining the ocean.
The President’s activity follows the completion of National Geographic Pristine Seas’ second expedition to the country, conducted at the invitation of the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands through MIMRA. Across two expedition legs from March to June, scientists and local experts surveyed seven locations – Ailuk, Toke, Jemo, Edrikub, Ailinginae, Enewetak, and Ujelang – examining seabirds, marine mammals, vegetation, coral reef ecosystems, pelagic predators, and deep-sea habitats to depths of up to 6,000 meters. The scientific findings will support the Reimaanlok framework and be shared with local communities, whose traditional knowledge and stewardship remains central to the sustainable management of the nation’s natural resources.
Special thanks to Dr. Enric Sala, the founder and lead of National Geographic Pristine Seas, Kelly Moore, and the entire team including our very own field experts from MIMRA (BJ Zebedy, Jessie Capelle, Alicia Edwards and Benedict Yamamura) and TNC (Beven Wakefield). Happy World Oceans Day!
