2026 Cook Islands ROV Exploration

The deep ocean is still largely unexplored, hiding a vast treasure trove of valuable and important discoveries waiting to be found. As technology progresses, we are able to go further and deeper beneath the surface, often making discoveries that exceed our expectations, increase our understanding of the deep sea, and build excitement and appreciation for this amazing place. During the final dive of the 2026 Cook Islands ROV Exploration cruise, NOAA Ocean Exploration, the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority, and other partners made such a discovery.

During Dive 14 of the 2026 Cook Islands ROV Exploration cruise, while exploring at a depth of approximately 3,600 meters (2.2 miles), the team came across a fossilized whale beak. The “beak” of a whale refers to the elongated, narrow snout, or rostrum, found in beaked whales. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 Cook Islands ROV Exploration. Download largest version (jpg, 1.2 MB).

While remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Deep Discoverer was traversing the seafloor of Pepe Seamount, southeast of Rarotonga, we came upon a fossilized beaked whale skull. Nestled amongst polymetallic nodules that covered the seafloor, the whale beak measures about 40 centimeters (16 inches) in length. It is thinly coated in polymetallic material.

A gentle push with Deep Discoverer’s manipulator arm revealed that the beak was not encrusted to the surrounding nodules. The skilled pilots with the NOAA Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute expertly maneuvered the ROV’s manipulator arm to collect the delicate sample, which was successfully brought to the surface.

During Dive 14 of the 2026 Cook Islands ROV Exploration cruise, the team found and collected this fossilized whale beak, encrusted in polymetallic material. This is the first whale beak ever collected with remotely operated vehicle Deep Discoverer and may be the deepest beak ever recovered from the Pacific. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 Cook Islands ROV Exploration. Download largest version (jpg, 860 KB).

While Ocean Exploration Trust has collected whale beaks in the Pacific during past NOAA-funded expeditions on Exploration Vessel Nautilus, this marks the first time that a whale beak has been seen and collected using ROV Deep Discoverer.

Recovered from a depth of 3,600 meters (2.2 miles), this appears to be the deepest whale beak ever collected from the Pacific Ocean. An expert from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History noted that it is one of most well-preserved beaks he’s seen.

After recovery, the whale jaw underwent a careful desalination process. Once scientific assessment is complete to determine the age and possible species of the whale whose jaw NOAA now possesses, the fossil will be donated to the Cook Islands National Museum where it can be displayed for all Cook Islanders to view, enjoy, and learn about the deep ocean in their backyard.

Chloe Wragg, a senior technical officer at the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority, carefully handles the fossilized whale beak collected during Dive 14 of the 2026 Cook Islands ROV Exploration cruise. Images courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 Cook Islands ROV Exploration. Download left image (jpg, 1.8 MB). Download right image (jpg, 1.5 MB).

We came with the objective of collecting transparent scientific data to support the Cook Islands government and all Cook Islanders in making informed management decisions and ensure that any future decisions regarding seabed minerals are guided by robust evidence, environmental responsibility, and long-term benefits for the people of the Cook Islands.

The whale beak is an additional scientific discovery. Not only can it inspire and connect Cook Islanders to their ocean environment, but it can also provide valuable scientific clues to better understand Earth’s ancient marine realm. The more we study, the better we can understand this environment and make informed decisions that leave a positive impact on the future of ocean management.