Research & Education

Conserving our Oceans with

For Universities, Researchers, Interns, Schools, Divers, Volunteers & Conservationists

The Open Ocean Field Station offers direct access to the Red Sea from both our house reef, Abu Sauatir, and nearby travel to dozens of alternative reef sites, accessible from the shore or boat. Other local habitats of interest include mangroves, sea grass meadows and fossil reefs. The Open Ocean research facilities include modern indoor and outdoor labs, spacious classrooms, and several outdoor study areas. There is an on-site dive centre Pharaoh Dive Club for all diving, courses, equipment, servicing, and gas requirements. As well as a speedboat for access to offshore sites or for e.g. drop camera work. There are hyperbaric chambers less than an hour away both to the north and south. The very experienced Open Ocean team are constantly on hand to offer advice and support with any research, logistical, administrative, and organisational requirements. Education and awareness play an essential part in efforts to manage and conserve our environment. Open Ocean encourage education among students, school children, locals and tourists by organising and conducting scientific excursions, marine biology courses and public seminars. Open Ocean believe knowledge can replace preconceptions or incomprehension and endorse environmental awareness. If you are interested in learning a little more about the Red Sea and Marine Biology in general or helping to protect the reefs and the environment, then come and join the motivated and passionate team at the Open Ocean Field Station El Quseir.

Research & Education Open Ocean aim to satisfy researchers’ needs and requirements by providing a centrally located field station with modern research facilities as well as advice and support in administrative and organisational matters. Open Ocean Marine Field Station offers a full package of quality accommodation & board on site, together with a range of facilities and services for individual researchers, universities, school groups and anyone with an interest in the marine environment.

Ask Open ocean about your field trip

Open Ocean has been supporting University research for over 10 years. Ranging from undergraduate taught field courses, student projects at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, through to expeditions. For example, the University of Glasgow have been regularly coming to Open Ocean El Quseir since 2014, running a 2-month expedition during the summer months and a 2-week Tropical Marine Ecology field course, part of their Marine & Freshwater Biology BSc/MSci. Outputs have included peer reviewed publications, expedition reports, Honours projects and Masters theses. Visit our publications listings.

Ask Open ocean about your expedition

Open Ocean have welcomed school groups from around the globe, providing them opportunities for pupils to learn practical skills such as survey methods, data collection and analyses, how to plan and execute a successful research project. These programmes are available through SCUBA or snorkelling with full training packages available. Diver and snorkeling courses are provided by Pharaoh Dive Club, the specialist training is provided directly by Open Ocean team. Schools groups can also engage with the local community through cultural exchanges with various schools, collaborating on beach clean ups or community events.

The Open Ocean team has supported dozens of people with the planning and delivery of their research objectives. For example, final year projects undertaken during the summer holidays to multi-year data collection for PhDs. An example would be Lucy Deans - University of Cumbria, England - 6 month Microplastics project, or Eduardo Sampaio with his Nat Geo funded research. We can also support your training needs. Our expert dive instructor team will help with proficiency as a survey diver. You can develop your marine ecology skills through our taught Open Ocean courses (survey methods, marine life ID) and through our Open Ocean Citizen Science projects or Volunteering schemes.

Ask Open ocean about your field trip

In 2019, the Open Ocean Field Station in El Quseir provided Eduardo the perfect Red Sea location for his continued, National Geographic funded research on cephalopod behaviour, cognition, and neuroscience. His team spent 10 weeks on location recording the incredible behavioral repertoire, camouflage capabilities and complex cognition.

Octopuses punch fishes during collaborative interspecific hunting

events.

Citation: Sampaio, E., M. C., Seco, R., Rosa, and S., Gingins.2021. Octopuses punch fishes during collaborative interspecific hunting events. Ecology 102(3):e03266. 10.1002/ecy.3266

Click to view publication

view our open ocean prospectus for schools

Open Ocean @ Roots Red Sea, kilo 14 safaga Road, El Quseir, red Sea, Egypt info@openoceanproject.org