Proteus Ocean Group Partners with CARMABI in Curaçao on Important Ocean Research

State-of-the-art underwater laboratory complex is planned; scientists already collecting promising data that will build a foundation for future research in Curaçao

NEW YORK—February 22, 2024—Proteus Ocean Group is a for-profit social enterprise developing and operating PROTEUS™ Proteus Ocean Group announced an official partnership with the Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity Foundation (CARMABI) through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in January 2024, the world’s most advanced underwater habitat where scientists can live and work underwater 24/7.

Established in 1955 as a marine research institute, CARMABI is a non-profit foundation on the island of Curaçao in the Southern Caribbean. The organization focuses on four areas: Marine and Terrestrial Research, Park Management, Nature and Environmental Education, and Consultancy. CARMABI is also responsible for the management of the Curaçao Marine Park which has been chosen as PROTEUS™’s first location in a global network of research habitats.

“CARMABI is excited to step into the future of underwater science and exploration with PROTEUS™,” said Dr. Manfred van Veghel, Director of CARMABI. “The research history of our institute and deep knowledge of the plants and animals that live on our reef, combined with PROTEUS™’s capacity to facilitate a permanent human presence underwater, will contribute to discoveries that are only possible when living and working at depth.” 

Curaçao is home to one of the few remaining Caribbean reefs that is still growing, providing scientists unique access to one of the region’s healthiest coral ecosystems. Building on a long history of research conducted by CARMABI, PROTEUS™’s scientists have already installed a suite of sensors to capture variables ranging from temperature to water quality to the acoustic environment with the goal of building toward an extensive network that will inform conservation approaches to benefit Curaçao's coral reefs. Preliminary data already collected hint at interesting findings tied to ocean temperature and reef health.  

In Curaçao, the PROTEUS™ team will build its first state-of-the-art, modular underwater laboratory habitat enabling scientists, aquanauts, astronauts, teachers, artists and more to live and work at depth. The continuous human presence on the ocean floor, coupled with cutting edge technologies, will make this reef in Curaçao one of the most well-studied coral reefs on the planet. PROTEUS™ aims to engage the global community through education and storytelling via broadcast, social and interactive media, connecting people to the ocean and strengthening their understanding of the critical role the ocean plays in allowing life on earth— including human life—to thrive.  

“We see PROTEUS™ as an unprecedented ocean tech accelerator; its scale and capabilities, as well as the partnerships assembled across governments and industries, are groundbreaking,” said Fabien Cousteau, founder and chairman of Proteus Ocean Group. “PROTEUS™ will be a network of habitats around the world, and we are so pleased to be working with CARMABI for our first location. Their support and expertise will be invaluable toward making this a game changer for ocean science.”

In addition to the CARMABI partnership, PROTEUS™ has signed CRADAs with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the United States Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC), and more. In June 2023, PROTEUS™ was endorsed by the IOC Executive Secretary as part of the UN Ocean Decade. To learn more about Proteus Ocean Group, PROTEUS™ and its partners, visit proteusoceangroup.com. 

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About PROTEUS™

PROTEUS™, the International Space Station of the Ocean, is the world’s most advanced, multi-purpose underwater habitat designed to drive innovation in the blue economy, amplify ocean storytelling and enable research to address pressing global issues. The modular, state-of-the-art station is accessible to public, corporate, academic, and non profit sectors as well as to private individuals. 

Multiple PROTEUS™ installations will form a worldwide network of connected habitats enabling aquanauts, scientists, astronauts, teachers, and artists to live and work underwater in a way not otherwise possible. ‘Saturated divers’ will be able to stay underwater for indefinite periods of time, driving ocean discovery and accelerating research. Research areas of focus include ecological resilience, human health and well-being, materials and acoustics science, robotics and space technologies.  Visit proteusoceangroup.com to learn more. Visit proteusoceangroup.com to learn more.

About CARMABI

CARMABI is the leading organization in the Caribbean on applied natural sciences by means of knowledge acquisition, knowledge dispersal and nature management applications, to support the sustainable development of nature. CARMABI’s mission is to contribute to the sustainable development and management of the natural resources of Curacao through research, nature management and environmental education. Visit carmabi.org to learn more.