Australia's CSIRO is launching a major research voyage from September to December 2026, sending RV Investigator from Fiji to Antarctica. The ship will collect ocean and atmosphere data to understand how the Pacific absorbs heat and carbon, and how climate change affects marine ecosystems. Four early career Pacific researchers, including two from Fiji, will join through partnerships with SPC and POGO, strengthening regional scientific capacity. The voyage will pass through waters near Fiji, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Tokelau, American Samoa, and New Zealand before heading to the Antarctic ice edge. The western Pacific is one of the most climate-sensitive regions, yet ship-based observations are limited. This expedition aims to fill critical data gaps and support Pacific nations in responding to climate change, ahead of Fiji hosting the pre-COP meeting in October.
