Under The Pole is a French-led underwater exploration program dedicated to advancing ocean science through direct observation, long-duration diving, and collaboration with the global scientific community. Since its inception, the initiative has focused on pushing the limits of human access beneath the surface, combining exploration, research, and environmental awareness across polar, temperate, and tropical seas. Its work forms part of a broader effort to better understand marine ecosystems that remain largely undocumented due to their depth and technical inaccessibility.
The tropical expedition in Roatán, Honduras, sits within this wider scientific mission. Roatán lies along the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the second-largest coral reef system in the world, and is globally recognised for its marine biodiversity. While the island’s shallow reefs are well known, Under The Pole’s interest extends beyond these illuminated zones into deeper waters, where sunlight fades and ecosystems transition into what scientists refer to as the mesophotic zone. These depths, typically ranging from 30 to 200 metres, represent a critical but understudied component of coral reef systems.
Under The Pole’s tropical research is conducted as part of its long-term DEEPLIFE program (2021–2030), which focuses on the study of mesophotic and deep reef ecosystems, often described as “marine animal forests.” These environments are structured by corals, sponges, and gorgonians that create complex three-dimensional habitats, supporting a wide range of marine life. Despite their ecological importance, mesophotic ecosystems remain poorly understood because they lie beyond the reach of conventional recreational diving and are difficult to study using remote technologies alone.
Roatán offers a valuable natural laboratory for this research. Positioned in a biologically rich region of the Caribbean, its underwater topography allows relatively close access to deeper reef slopes where mesophotic communities develop. Scientists increasingly view these zones as important ecological connectors between shallow coral reefs and deeper ocean environments. Research suggests that mesophotic reefs may play a role in biodiversity preservation and could offer partial refuge for certain species affected by warming surface waters, although they are not immune to environmental pressures.
Exploring these depths requires specialised techniques and equipment. Under The Pole teams rely on advanced diving technologies such as closed-circuit rebreathers, which allow divers to remain underwater for extended periods while minimising disturbance to marine life. This approach enables direct observation, detailed documentation, and the collection of scientific data that would be difficult to obtain through remote-operated vehicles alone. Such methods are central to Under The Pole’s philosophy of immersive exploration, where scientists and explorers work side by side in the field.
The expedition operates from Under The Pole’s vessel, Why, a purpose-adapted schooner that functions as both a mobile research platform and a logistical base. Designed to support long-duration missions in remote marine environments, the vessel enables the team to conduct repeated dives, manage scientific equipment, and live in close proximity to their research sites. This operational autonomy is a defining feature of Under The Pole’s expeditions and allows for sustained engagement with the ecosystems under study.
Beyond scientific research, Under The Pole places strong emphasis on environmental awareness and knowledge sharing. The organisation actively contributes to international discussions on ocean conservation and aligns its work with the objectives of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. By documenting little-known ecosystems and communicating their findings to a wider audience, Under The Pole seeks to bridge the gap between deep-sea science and public understanding.
The Roatán expedition reflects a broader shift in marine exploration, one that recognises the importance of studying not only iconic shallow reefs but also the deeper layers that support and interact with them. As pressures on tropical marine environments continue to grow, research into mesophotic ecosystems provides valuable insight into the full structure and resilience of coral reef systems. Through its work in Roatán, Under The Pole contributes to a more complete picture of tropical oceans—one that extends beyond the visible surface and into the twilight depths below.
