Schmidt Ocean Institute
@schmidtocean.bsky.social
Boldly exploring our unknown Ocean
Celebrating ROV SuBastian's 900th scientific dive since completing sea trials in 2016. Seen in this milestone dive during #LivingBioreactors — a single-celled organism called Foraminifera, a “berried” crustacean (translation: shrimp carrying eggs), several dazzling jellyfish, & a string of salps.
February 17, 2026 at 10:50 PM
Celebrating ROV SuBastian's 900th scientific dive since completing sea trials in 2016. Seen in this milestone dive during #LivingBioreactors — a single-celled organism called Foraminifera, a “berried” crustacean (translation: shrimp carrying eggs), several dazzling jellyfish, & a string of salps.
We're chairing sessions, delivering talks, and sharing our work at poster sessions — make sure to add these events to your schedule for #OSM26.
22-27 February | Glasgow, U.K.
22-27 February | Glasgow, U.K.
February 16, 2026 at 1:24 AM
We're chairing sessions, delivering talks, and sharing our work at poster sessions — make sure to add these events to your schedule for #OSM26.
22-27 February | Glasgow, U.K.
22-27 February | Glasgow, U.K.
In 2025, 57% of our chief scientists and 53% of our science party members were women, and women work at every level within Schmidt Ocean Institute. Today, on International Day of Women and Girls in Science, and every day, we celebrate the women exploring and studying the ocean.
February 11, 2026 at 5:53 PM
In 2025, 57% of our chief scientists and 53% of our science party members were women, and women work at every level within Schmidt Ocean Institute. Today, on International Day of Women and Girls in Science, and every day, we celebrate the women exploring and studying the ocean.
This is a Labichthys snipe eel.
Like many of the animals studied during the #OBVI #LivingBioreactors expedition w/ @schmidtsciences.bsky.social, Labichthys shelter in the depths & make a daily migration to feed near surface waters at night. Read full caption: youtube.com/shorts/zWjxE...
Like many of the animals studied during the #OBVI #LivingBioreactors expedition w/ @schmidtsciences.bsky.social, Labichthys shelter in the depths & make a daily migration to feed near surface waters at night. Read full caption: youtube.com/shorts/zWjxE...
February 10, 2026 at 9:42 PM
This is a Labichthys snipe eel.
Like many of the animals studied during the #OBVI #LivingBioreactors expedition w/ @schmidtsciences.bsky.social, Labichthys shelter in the depths & make a daily migration to feed near surface waters at night. Read full caption: youtube.com/shorts/zWjxE...
Like many of the animals studied during the #OBVI #LivingBioreactors expedition w/ @schmidtsciences.bsky.social, Labichthys shelter in the depths & make a daily migration to feed near surface waters at night. Read full caption: youtube.com/shorts/zWjxE...
Follow us to Oceanology International! Schmidt Ocean Institute Executive Director Dr. Jyotika Virmani joins 160+ speakers for 50+ sessions designed to tackle the sector’s most pressing technical, environmental, and operational challenges. Learn more: https://invt.io/1lxb60g81nl
February 10, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Follow us to Oceanology International! Schmidt Ocean Institute Executive Director Dr. Jyotika Virmani joins 160+ speakers for 50+ sessions designed to tackle the sector’s most pressing technical, environmental, and operational challenges. Learn more: https://invt.io/1lxb60g81nl
“Like a firefly in the middle of a field
filled with noise,
its shining, latent light within,
a tiny bell, small and soundless.
I fade away so that you may lose yourself.
I fold myself into my wings.”
Poem by Pedro Serrano, trans. by Don Cellini.
Psychedelic jellyfish, #argentiniandeepseeps, 3804 m
filled with noise,
its shining, latent light within,
a tiny bell, small and soundless.
I fade away so that you may lose yourself.
I fold myself into my wings.”
Poem by Pedro Serrano, trans. by Don Cellini.
Psychedelic jellyfish, #argentiniandeepseeps, 3804 m
February 9, 2026 at 7:28 PM
“Like a firefly in the middle of a field
filled with noise,
its shining, latent light within,
a tiny bell, small and soundless.
I fade away so that you may lose yourself.
I fold myself into my wings.”
Poem by Pedro Serrano, trans. by Don Cellini.
Psychedelic jellyfish, #argentiniandeepseeps, 3804 m
filled with noise,
its shining, latent light within,
a tiny bell, small and soundless.
I fade away so that you may lose yourself.
I fold myself into my wings.”
Poem by Pedro Serrano, trans. by Don Cellini.
Psychedelic jellyfish, #argentiniandeepseeps, 3804 m
Riding High!
During the #ArgentinianDeepSeeps expedition, ROV pilots captured footage of a tiny animal, likely a crustacean, riding a jellyfish like a surfboard. Jellyfish = protection w/their stinging tentacles & access to food while traveling & “shooting the curl” (as surfers would say).
During the #ArgentinianDeepSeeps expedition, ROV pilots captured footage of a tiny animal, likely a crustacean, riding a jellyfish like a surfboard. Jellyfish = protection w/their stinging tentacles & access to food while traveling & “shooting the curl” (as surfers would say).
February 5, 2026 at 9:16 PM
Riding High!
During the #ArgentinianDeepSeeps expedition, ROV pilots captured footage of a tiny animal, likely a crustacean, riding a jellyfish like a surfboard. Jellyfish = protection w/their stinging tentacles & access to food while traveling & “shooting the curl” (as surfers would say).
During the #ArgentinianDeepSeeps expedition, ROV pilots captured footage of a tiny animal, likely a crustacean, riding a jellyfish like a surfboard. Jellyfish = protection w/their stinging tentacles & access to food while traveling & “shooting the curl” (as surfers would say).
Skeleton shrimp: superior snackers
This amphipod in the family Caprellidae, has feather-like setae line several of their 18 appendages for collecting food — amphipod translates to “feet on all sides” in Greek.
#argentiniandeepseeps ~1200 meters
This amphipod in the family Caprellidae, has feather-like setae line several of their 18 appendages for collecting food — amphipod translates to “feet on all sides” in Greek.
#argentiniandeepseeps ~1200 meters
February 2, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Skeleton shrimp: superior snackers
This amphipod in the family Caprellidae, has feather-like setae line several of their 18 appendages for collecting food — amphipod translates to “feet on all sides” in Greek.
#argentiniandeepseeps ~1200 meters
This amphipod in the family Caprellidae, has feather-like setae line several of their 18 appendages for collecting food — amphipod translates to “feet on all sides” in Greek.
#argentiniandeepseeps ~1200 meters
A fishy escape fr #ArgentinianDeepSeeps
"The question, O me! so sad, recurring — What good amid these, O me, O
life?
Answer.
That you are here — that life exists, and identity;
That the powerful play goes on, and you will contribute a verse." - Walt Whitman
"The question, O me! so sad, recurring — What good amid these, O me, O
life?
Answer.
That you are here — that life exists, and identity;
That the powerful play goes on, and you will contribute a verse." - Walt Whitman
January 29, 2026 at 4:22 PM
A fishy escape fr #ArgentinianDeepSeeps
"The question, O me! so sad, recurring — What good amid these, O me, O
life?
Answer.
That you are here — that life exists, and identity;
That the powerful play goes on, and you will contribute a verse." - Walt Whitman
"The question, O me! so sad, recurring — What good amid these, O me, O
life?
Answer.
That you are here — that life exists, and identity;
That the powerful play goes on, and you will contribute a verse." - Walt Whitman
Sampling among the stars!
During the #Taleof2Canyons expedition, curious fish nibbled on sediments as ROV SuBastian pilots collected push core samples from a seafloor lined with brittle stars.
During the #Taleof2Canyons expedition, curious fish nibbled on sediments as ROV SuBastian pilots collected push core samples from a seafloor lined with brittle stars.
January 28, 2026 at 11:48 PM
Sampling among the stars!
During the #Taleof2Canyons expedition, curious fish nibbled on sediments as ROV SuBastian pilots collected push core samples from a seafloor lined with brittle stars.
During the #Taleof2Canyons expedition, curious fish nibbled on sediments as ROV SuBastian pilots collected push core samples from a seafloor lined with brittle stars.
Animals as Living Bioreactors expedition is underway! W/ @schmidtsciences.bsky.social, scientists are eager to learn more about the role of midwater animals, like this gossamer worm, in carbon transport. Read more & subscribe to our YouTube for ROV dive updates here: youtube.com/post/Ugkx_Vw...
January 27, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Animals as Living Bioreactors expedition is underway! W/ @schmidtsciences.bsky.social, scientists are eager to learn more about the role of midwater animals, like this gossamer worm, in carbon transport. Read more & subscribe to our YouTube for ROV dive updates here: youtube.com/post/Ugkx_Vw...
Multiple Choice Monday
Why is this tiny fish not the octopus’s next tasty snack?
a. This tiny fish tastes funny.
b. Sleepy cephalopod, will eat later.
c. Sated cephalopod, still digesting last tasty fish.
d. Write in answers: correct & incorrect ones will be enjoyed equally.
Why is this tiny fish not the octopus’s next tasty snack?
a. This tiny fish tastes funny.
b. Sleepy cephalopod, will eat later.
c. Sated cephalopod, still digesting last tasty fish.
d. Write in answers: correct & incorrect ones will be enjoyed equally.
January 26, 2026 at 8:21 PM
Multiple Choice Monday
Why is this tiny fish not the octopus’s next tasty snack?
a. This tiny fish tastes funny.
b. Sleepy cephalopod, will eat later.
c. Sated cephalopod, still digesting last tasty fish.
d. Write in answers: correct & incorrect ones will be enjoyed equally.
Why is this tiny fish not the octopus’s next tasty snack?
a. This tiny fish tastes funny.
b. Sleepy cephalopod, will eat later.
c. Sated cephalopod, still digesting last tasty fish.
d. Write in answers: correct & incorrect ones will be enjoyed equally.
Thanks to the dedicated and tireless work of our crew on board R/V Falkor (too) supporting a worldwide array of researchers and scientists — we’re working daily to boldly explore our unknown ocean, every day! #OceanExplorationDay Read more: www.linkedin.com/posts/schmid...
January 23, 2026 at 10:12 PM
Thanks to the dedicated and tireless work of our crew on board R/V Falkor (too) supporting a worldwide array of researchers and scientists — we’re working daily to boldly explore our unknown ocean, every day! #OceanExplorationDay Read more: www.linkedin.com/posts/schmid...
Two skate passing in the dark.
Between 200 and 145 million years ago, during the Jurassic period, these cartilaginous fish emerged — part of the class Chondrichthyes, which also includes sharks, stingrays, and chimaeras. ROV pilots filmed these at skate 432 meters during #ArgentinianDeepSeeps
Between 200 and 145 million years ago, during the Jurassic period, these cartilaginous fish emerged — part of the class Chondrichthyes, which also includes sharks, stingrays, and chimaeras. ROV pilots filmed these at skate 432 meters during #ArgentinianDeepSeeps
January 22, 2026 at 9:43 PM
Two skate passing in the dark.
Between 200 and 145 million years ago, during the Jurassic period, these cartilaginous fish emerged — part of the class Chondrichthyes, which also includes sharks, stingrays, and chimaeras. ROV pilots filmed these at skate 432 meters during #ArgentinianDeepSeeps
Between 200 and 145 million years ago, during the Jurassic period, these cartilaginous fish emerged — part of the class Chondrichthyes, which also includes sharks, stingrays, and chimaeras. ROV pilots filmed these at skate 432 meters during #ArgentinianDeepSeeps
Float like a glass squid.
What might it feel like to reach a state where your body’s density perfectly matches your surroundings? Their buoyant bodies are filled with ammonium chloride, which is lighter than seawater, helping them to conserve energy while traveling. 1,729 m #ArgentinianDeepSeeps
What might it feel like to reach a state where your body’s density perfectly matches your surroundings? Their buoyant bodies are filled with ammonium chloride, which is lighter than seawater, helping them to conserve energy while traveling. 1,729 m #ArgentinianDeepSeeps
January 16, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Float like a glass squid.
What might it feel like to reach a state where your body’s density perfectly matches your surroundings? Their buoyant bodies are filled with ammonium chloride, which is lighter than seawater, helping them to conserve energy while traveling. 1,729 m #ArgentinianDeepSeeps
What might it feel like to reach a state where your body’s density perfectly matches your surroundings? Their buoyant bodies are filled with ammonium chloride, which is lighter than seawater, helping them to conserve energy while traveling. 1,729 m #ArgentinianDeepSeeps
A bustling seafloor scene from the #taleof2canyons expedition: “We studied how these canyons can facilitate such incredible biodiversity,” said Chief Scientist Dr. Silvia Ines Romero. “What are the mechanisms — the currents and the chemistry — that support all of this life?”
January 15, 2026 at 5:29 PM
A bustling seafloor scene from the #taleof2canyons expedition: “We studied how these canyons can facilitate such incredible biodiversity,” said Chief Scientist Dr. Silvia Ines Romero. “What are the mechanisms — the currents and the chemistry — that support all of this life?”
Take a slow ride . . . by snail!
Read the full post about this example of mutualistic symbiosis and the #ArgentinianDeepSeeps expedition here: www.instagram.com/reel/DTTbCSp...
Read the full post about this example of mutualistic symbiosis and the #ArgentinianDeepSeeps expedition here: www.instagram.com/reel/DTTbCSp...
January 9, 2026 at 9:03 PM
Take a slow ride . . . by snail!
Read the full post about this example of mutualistic symbiosis and the #ArgentinianDeepSeeps expedition here: www.instagram.com/reel/DTTbCSp...
Read the full post about this example of mutualistic symbiosis and the #ArgentinianDeepSeeps expedition here: www.instagram.com/reel/DTTbCSp...
Sea squirts & squid!
ROV pilots filmed these salps and spectacular squid during the #SouthSandwichIslands expedition with @oceancensus.bsky.social in early 2025. Salps, also known as sea squirts, are ubiquitous throughout the Ocean, and abundant in the Southern Ocean.
ROV pilots filmed these salps and spectacular squid during the #SouthSandwichIslands expedition with @oceancensus.bsky.social in early 2025. Salps, also known as sea squirts, are ubiquitous throughout the Ocean, and abundant in the Southern Ocean.
January 7, 2026 at 11:38 PM
Sea squirts & squid!
ROV pilots filmed these salps and spectacular squid during the #SouthSandwichIslands expedition with @oceancensus.bsky.social in early 2025. Salps, also known as sea squirts, are ubiquitous throughout the Ocean, and abundant in the Southern Ocean.
ROV pilots filmed these salps and spectacular squid during the #SouthSandwichIslands expedition with @oceancensus.bsky.social in early 2025. Salps, also known as sea squirts, are ubiquitous throughout the Ocean, and abundant in the Southern Ocean.
Benthic ctenophores clinging to tunicates attached to a submarine canyon wall ~1.75 miles deep, during #ArgentinianDeepSeeps. Platyctenida have colloblasts, or sticky cells that release a mucus-like glue when they unspool extra-long tentacles into the water column and fish for their next meal.
January 6, 2026 at 11:50 PM
Benthic ctenophores clinging to tunicates attached to a submarine canyon wall ~1.75 miles deep, during #ArgentinianDeepSeeps. Platyctenida have colloblasts, or sticky cells that release a mucus-like glue when they unspool extra-long tentacles into the water column and fish for their next meal.
Anyone else feeling tired today?
This fish, likely a deep-sea sole — a species of flatfish in the family Pleuronectidae, likes lazing about along muddy bottoms. ROV pilots filmed while exploring a pockmark, or crater, along the seafloor at 460m. #ArgentinianDeepSeeps
This fish, likely a deep-sea sole — a species of flatfish in the family Pleuronectidae, likes lazing about along muddy bottoms. ROV pilots filmed while exploring a pockmark, or crater, along the seafloor at 460m. #ArgentinianDeepSeeps
January 2, 2026 at 8:16 PM
Anyone else feeling tired today?
This fish, likely a deep-sea sole — a species of flatfish in the family Pleuronectidae, likes lazing about along muddy bottoms. ROV pilots filmed while exploring a pockmark, or crater, along the seafloor at 460m. #ArgentinianDeepSeeps
This fish, likely a deep-sea sole — a species of flatfish in the family Pleuronectidae, likes lazing about along muddy bottoms. ROV pilots filmed while exploring a pockmark, or crater, along the seafloor at 460m. #ArgentinianDeepSeeps
ROV pilots filmed this giant phantom jelly, or Stygiomedusa gigantea, at 253 meters during an ROV descent to explore the Colorado-Rawson submarine canyon wall. #ArgentinianDeepSeeps
January 2, 2026 at 12:07 AM
ROV pilots filmed this giant phantom jelly, or Stygiomedusa gigantea, at 253 meters during an ROV descent to explore the Colorado-Rawson submarine canyon wall. #ArgentinianDeepSeeps
Let your party streamers fly like a ctenophore! As the year draws to an end, we’re celebrating a year of supporting international teams of scientists on board R/V Falkor (too) off the coasts of Antarctica, the South Sandwich Islands, Argentina, & Uruguay. Happy New Year to all!
January 1, 2026 at 12:07 AM
Let your party streamers fly like a ctenophore! As the year draws to an end, we’re celebrating a year of supporting international teams of scientists on board R/V Falkor (too) off the coasts of Antarctica, the South Sandwich Islands, Argentina, & Uruguay. Happy New Year to all!
Freckled catshark, Scyliorhinus haeckelii, is a common species of shark in Uruguayan waters, according to Dr. David Ebert. He suspects the fish were interested in a parasite dangling off the catshark. Filmed at 227m during #UruguaySUB200
December 31, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Freckled catshark, Scyliorhinus haeckelii, is a common species of shark in Uruguayan waters, according to Dr. David Ebert. He suspects the fish were interested in a parasite dangling off the catshark. Filmed at 227m during #UruguaySUB200
We are grieving the loss of Kristina Gjerde, who passed away yesterday, 26 December 2025, of cancer. She was a lawyer — graceful, thoughtful, and elegantly articulate — who championed the Ocean, particularly the deep sea. Read our full statement here: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
December 27, 2025 at 5:34 PM
We are grieving the loss of Kristina Gjerde, who passed away yesterday, 26 December 2025, of cancer. She was a lawyer — graceful, thoughtful, and elegantly articulate — who championed the Ocean, particularly the deep sea. Read our full statement here: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
Like a tiny heart beating in time, this deep-sea jellyfish — Periphylla — pulses through the Ocean’s midwater. ROV pilots filmed this luminescent beauty at 920m along Argentina’s continental shelf, off the coast of Buenos Aires #ArgentinianDeepSeeps Credit: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute
December 23, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Like a tiny heart beating in time, this deep-sea jellyfish — Periphylla — pulses through the Ocean’s midwater. ROV pilots filmed this luminescent beauty at 920m along Argentina’s continental shelf, off the coast of Buenos Aires #ArgentinianDeepSeeps Credit: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute