Researchers discovered a new species of deep-sea coral and a nursery area for catcharks and skates off the shores of California.
The finding was the first intensive exploration of California's offshore area of Bodega Head, where the waters reach depths of 1,000 feet, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported. After two dives the researchers had discovered hundreds of skate eggs on the region's seafloor and in bundles on rocks around the catshark nursery area.
"This is a highly unusual nursery because rarely, if ever, are shark nurseries in the same area as skate nurseries," said Peter Etnoyer, a deep-sea biologist at NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science.
Another diving ream discovered never-before-seen corals from the Leptogorgia genus at a depth of 600 feet.
"Deep-sea corals and sponges provide valuable refuge for fish and other marine life," said Maria Brown, Farallones sanctuary superintendent. "Data on these life forms helps determine the extent and ecological importance of deep-sea communities and the threats they face. Effective management of these ecosystems requires science-based information on their condition."
Submarines canyons (like Bodega canyon) extend from the continental shelf to the deep sea, making exploration of these regions extremely difficult. The canyons are crucial to marine ecosystems because they act as a refuge for a number of species of fish and deep water corals.
"Surveys of the seafloor in these waters reveal an abundance and diversity of life in new habitats," said Danielle Lipski, Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary research coordinator and expedition leader. "This work helps inform our knowledge and understanding of the deep sea ecosystems north of Cordell Bank and Gulf of the Farallones national marine sanctuaries, areas that are extremely important to the ocean environment."
The research expedition was funded by government and academic partners including "NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, NOAA National Center for Coastal Ocean Science's, Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank national marine sanctuaries, the U.S. Geological Survey and the California Academy of Sciences."
