[Video] Exploring Atlantic Deep Sea Life
From September 4 to October 7, 2014, NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer is explore the largely unknown deep-sea ecosystems of the U.S. Atlantic coast. NOAA’s at-sea and shore-based science team is collecting baseline data in the Atlantic submarine canyons and along the New England Seamount Chain.
Despite the role that oceans play in supporting our well-being, 95 percent of the ocean remains unexplored. Increasing baseline knowledge of ocean habitats is critical to the conservation and preservation of these remarkable ecosystems. Projects of this nature are necessary to expand our knowledge of the unknown and to provide baseline data for resource managers.
Several seamounts and submarine canyons are being explored including deep-sea coral habitats and potential chemosynthetic communities, all within in a couple hundred miles of some of the most densely populated sections of the U.S.
Videos:
Octopus seen making his way across the floor of Phoenix Canyon, during the first remotely operated vehicle dive of this leg.
One of the highlights of the September 6 dive in Washington Canyon was when the Deep Discoverer imaged this beautiful hydromedusa. Hydromedusa have red-tinted stomachs to camouflage any bioluminescence exhibited by their prey.
Swarms of squid were seen while diving in Norfolk Canyon; the squid were feeding and being fed upon. This video captures one attempted, but unsuccessful, predation event where a red crab fails to grab a squid that is swimming by and one successful predation event where a monkfish gobbles up a squid.
This squid was spotted during our first remotely operated vehicle dive of this leg, which took place in Phoenix Canyon.
An octopus performs for the remotely operated vehicle camera, scaling a wall in Hendrickson Canyon and then succeeding in daringly crossing over a crevice.
We never know exactly what we will find, so tune in to the live feeds to see what we discover next.