Marine biologists in Argentina are livestreaming extraordinary footage from the depths of the South Atlantic Ocean, drawing a global audience fascinated by life underwater. The livestream project, broadcast from the Patagonian coast, has gained international traction for its rare and vivid marine scenes. However, looming budget cuts are putting its continuation at risk.

Buenos Aires

A livestreamed deep-sea expedition off the coast of Argentina has attracted more than 1.6 million daily viewers worldwide, with up to 80,000 people watching at any given time. The project, a collaboration between Argentinian marine biologists and the US-based Schmidt Ocean Institute, explores the Mar del Plata Canyon at depths of up to 4,000 meters, using advanced marine technology to reveal rarely seen sea life and evidence of human pollution.

The 20-day project has been praised for its scientific impact and its ability to engage a broad online audience, even as Argentina faces significant cuts to scientific research funding. Researchers hope the livestream will inspire greater appreciation and support for marine science amid challenging economic conditions.

Argentinian deep-sea livestream captivates global audience

Hours of images like these, live streamed from the bottom of the ocean, have captured the imagination of viewers from Argentina and beyond. More than 1.6 million people tuning in every day, 80,000 online at any one time. The truth is, this is amazing. It's spectacular to follow this expedition and watch what is going on at the bottom of the ocean. Thirty marine biologists from the Argentinian Science and Research Council are working with researchers and technicians from the US-based Schmidt Ocean Institute to investigate the Mar del Plata Canyon, 300 kilometers off the coast of Argentina, at depths of up to 4,000 meters. People have been watching all this alongside us. It's something that fills our hearts because we want to share this knowledge. The latest in marine technology allowing them to capture previously difficult-to-access sea life, crabs and octopuses, deep-sea fish and plants, and this crowd favourite, because of its resemblance to Patrick, a starfish and leading character from the SpongeBob Squarepants cartoon series. There was also this intruder into the deep, dark natural world, a plastic bag, evidence that contamination discarded by humans is reaching even here. Researchers say that the expedition's scientific impact has been enormous, collecting vast amounts of data and reaching and illuminating the lives of millions of online viewers. Many are beguiled, some are addicted. They want more. However, the 20-day project, which ends on Sunday, comes as the Argentinian government has been cutting funding for scientific research, saying money is scarce while it's trying to control crippling inflation. Science in Argentina is going through a really tough time financially in terms of support, human resources and so on, and the fact that this is happening is like a beacon of light. A beacon of light shining on a world few had previously seen, now being shared by millions. Daniel Schweiner, Al Jazeera, Buenos Aires.

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