Snorkelling expedition will study marine life in chilly waters

A group of international divers will embark on a big adventure Friday,plunging into the icy waters of the Arctic to study marine life.

The10 brave women of the Sedna Expedition will set sail on a fishing boat from Nain, Labrador, to Baffin Island, and on to Greenland, snorkelling along the way.

The two-week journey is designed to preparethemfor a longer, more intensive trip in2016.

The team is made up of scientists, dive professionals, and under-water movie-makers, and they'll be bringing along some inventions, including an underwater robot.

"This [robot] goes under water, but 100 metres of tether above that robotI'm flying it through my laptop, through a game-pad controller," said Erika Bergman, who created the robot.

The camera will help the group study marine life, and how it's being affected by thechanging climate.

Teaching Inuit women

Expedition leader Susan Eaton said the group will also meet with women in Inuit communities along the way to teach them about under-water life.

"We'll be talking about sustainable fisheries, we'll be talking about ocean change, and we'll try to inspire the kids of the north to engage in their environment,whether it's in the ocean or on land," she said.

The group plans to share the under-water data that it collects with Environment Canada.

Eaton said it's no coincidencethat it's an all-female team heading out on theexpedition.

"All of the women on the team are used to going on expeditions and being the 'token woman' being the only woman. So i just decided,'Why not [have a trip of just] women?'" she said.

"We have the collective skill-set to do this, and if we want to reach out to Inuit women and girls, and if we want to reach out to girls around the world, young women, and inspire them with being role models, then [this] is the perfect vehicle to do it."

The adventure, which will cost about $500,000, is partiallyfunded by sponsors, including the new Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium.