On 14 and 15 September 2026, Channel NewsAsia (CNA) spotlighted early findings from the 2025 OceanX–NUS deep-sea expedition to the Monsoon Rise, marking a major step forward in documenting a previously unexplored region of the High Seas. 

The coverage opened with a focus on rich biodiversity, following researchers who mapped over 6,000 square kilometres of the seabed and collected more than 2,000 specimens. Among these collections are at least 20 species that could be new to science! 

The feature included insights from Dr Jose Christopher Escano Mendoza, Senior Curator of Crustacea at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, and Dr Allison Miller from the NUS Reef Ecology Lab, who detailed their ongoing findings within their respective domains. 

CNA subsequently broadcasted a live segment with Mission Lead Prof Peter Ng, who addressed the detection of microplastics 5,000 metres deep in the Indian Ocean. 

Prof Ng emphasised that plastic pollution in international waters is not an isolated concern; microplastics and nanoplastics at extreme depths can integrate into marine food webs, carrying global implications for fisheries and seafood safety. He also highlighted the importance of biodiversity research to establish the knowledge required to understand and safeguard these marine ecosystems. 

Watch the CNA Coverage: 

(Video) CNA: Monsoon Rise Expedition: Exclusive look into early findings from deep sea exploration 

(Article) CNA: At least 20 species could be new to science after NUS-OceanX deep-sea expedition

(Video) CNA: Monsoon Rise Expedition: Scientists discover microplastics 5,000m below surface of Indian Ocean