A life-long dream come true: ocean science and storytelling in Tonga

The trip is the culmination of Rebecca’s work as Director of The Marine Diaries, as a marine biologist, and as a passionate science communicator.

Rebecca has spent the last 8 years working toward a sustainable future for the ocean through The Marine Diaries, the charity that she co-founded in 2017, so this expedition is a dream come true for her - a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring together her scientific knowledge and storytelling skills – and to contribute to vital marine research, connect with local ocean communities and inspire action.

The trip is partly subsidised the by 10% for the Ocean, but Rebecca will need to raise the remaining costs herself.

Helping to advance ocean science and promote conservation

“Cutting edge eDNA technology is revolutionising how we study marine life. Every creature leaves tiny traces of DNA in the water. Using simple techniques to collect and analyse this, we can tell which species are present even without seeing them!

This research will get a snapshot of all species present, but will focus on whales, dolphins, and porpoises (cetaceans), revealing not just their presence around the island, but also their genetic diversity, which is a vital marker of their long-term survival and resilience to threats like climate change.

This is one of the first studies to explore the genetic diversity of cetaceans in the Pacific, and the data collected will help guide conservation efforts in Tonga and across the region.

By empowering local communities and citizen scientists to take part, we'll ensure data collection continues into the future.”

Read more:

• About the trip and funding
• About The Marine Diaries