In the deep waters of the emirate of Fujairah, the research team made a remarkable discovery: the first-ever observation of the Bramble Shark (Echinorhinus brucus) in the waters of the United Arab Emirates! This elusive species, known for its distinctive rough skin covered in thorn-like denticles, was encountered multiple times during the expedition, both in submersibles and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).

The Bramble Shark sightings occurred during deep-sea dives, where the team was conducting surveys of mesophotic coral reefs and other marine habitats. These encounters provided valuable insights into the distribution and behavior of this rarely seen species. The presence of the Bramble Shark in Fujairah highlights the rich biodiversity of the region's deep-sea ecosystems and underscores the importance of continued exploration and conservation efforts.

One of the most significant findings of this mission was the first-ever in situ observations of mesophotic corals in the northwest Indian Ocean. The team collected 86 specimens of azooxanthellate mesophotic corals, including species of scleractinians (hard corals), octocorals (soft corals), and black corals. These corals were found to be the dominant species across all surveyed sites, indicating their local adaptation to the unique environmental conditions of the Gulf of Oman. Interestingly, many of these species are likely endemic to the region, with some potentially being new to science. Most were relatively small, indicating restrictions in size caused by environmental conditions or these corals could represent new growth following a recent die-off event. In addition to coral discoveries, the team observed a deepwater erosional valley dominated by fossilized bivalve tubeworms, likely representative of rudists, a group of fossil bivalves that went extinct during the late Cretaceous period

Led by Dr. Ada Natoli from Khalifa University, OceanX carried out the first large-scale offshore survey of cetaceans in Abu Dhbai waters.

The surveys were conducted using a combination of small boats and the main OceanXplorer vessel. Covering a total of 640km, the surveys resulted in 12 sightings including 11 sightings of bottlenose dolphins and sightings of whales. In addition to the dedicated surveys, the team also conducted whole genome sequencing of cetacean species. A total of 13 samples from seven different species of cetaceans, including both baleen whales and toothed whales, underwent DNA extraction. This is particularly significant as these will be the first whole genome sequences available from samples from this region, providing a valuable reference for future studies and conservation efforts.

Overall, the cetacean surveys conducted during this expedition provided valuable baseline data on the offshore populations of cetaceans in UAE waters. The sighting of whales, particularly the observation of feeding behavior, supports the hypothesis that these species are regular users of the Gulf waters. This data is critical for raising awareness and implementing effective conservation policies to protect these marine megafauna species.

OceanX supported local fisheries assessments through innovative genomic technology and traditional methods. This research was a continuation of the Fisheries Research Assessment Survey (FRAS) initiated in 2015/2016, which provided a baseline species and habitat characterization for the region.

The primary objective of the fisheries research was to leverage environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling to create molecular tools for more cost-effective, minimally invasive, and high-resolution data collection. This approach aimed to enhance stock assessment, conservation planning, and understanding of the changing conditions affecting marine species.

During the expedition, field sampling was conducted at 19 FRAS stations, resulting in 37 samples, of which 28 were extracted and purified.

The data collected from the fisheries research will be integrated into an AI geospatial tool to map molecular biodiversity along environmental gradients in the Arabian Gulf. This integration will provide local researchers and policymakers with updated data to measure biodiversity, ecology, and habitat use of the fish species inhabiting the region.

Overall, the fisheries research conducted during this expedition provided a comprehensive baseline for understanding the biodiversity and ecological dynamics of fish stocks in the Arabian Gulf. The use of advanced genomic technologies and AI tools enhances the accuracy and efficiency of fisheries assessments, contributing to better conservation and management strategies