Deep Trekker played a central role in the 2025 Blue Green Expedition, enabling researchers to explore remote Arctic waters in search of the elusive Greenland shark.
Focused on advancing understanding of fragile polar ecosystems, the mission combined cutting-edge ROV technology with marine science to investigate life beneath the ice.
Deploying a Deep Trekker PIVOT ROV, the team supported the Greenland Shark Research Team led by Dr. Greg Skomal and National Geographic Explorer Nick Caloyianis. Operating under a Government of Greenland research license, the expedition aimed to document seabed habitats, substrate composition, and potential feeding zones associated with Greenland sharks. While no sharks were encountered, the ROV successfully captured valuable imagery of Arctic benthic environments, expanding the limited visual record of these ecosystems.
Challenging conditions defined the mission. Glacial melt introduced sediment-heavy freshwater layers, reducing visibility to near zero in some areas. Despite this, the compact, battery-powered ROV maintained consistent performance at depths of up to 150 meters, demonstrating the reliability of submersible systems in extreme cold-water environments.
Beyond its primary objective, the expedition revealed unexpected ecological insights. High plankton biomass was observed at depth, alongside rare species such as comb jellies, highlighting the persistence of marine life during seasonal transitions. These findings contribute to broader marine habitat monitoring and environmental assessment efforts.
Equally significant was the expedition’s outreach component. A visit to the remote community of Ittoqqortoormiit provided local students with hands-on ROV experience, showcasing how underwater robotics can inspire future marine scientists and strengthen community engagement.
Although the Greenland shark remains elusive, the expedition underscored the growing importance of ROV technology in Arctic research, offering a powerful, low-impact approach to studying some of the planet’s least understood marine environments.
Read Searching for Greenland Sharks: Arctic Research with Deep Trekker ROVs.
