This octopus was observed at nearly 1200 meters depth, during an exploration of the Ribbon Reef Canyons, around 170 km northeast of Cairns, Australia. The Remotely Operated Vehicle was exploring the mid-section of a canyon that connects directly to the shallow waters of the Great Barrier Reef, offshore from Ribbon Reef 5. The research team was using the high resolution cameras and robotic arm of the ROV to observe and collect samples of the geology and seabed organisms.

Australian Scientists Discover New Corals on Most Comprehensive Deep Sea Study of Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea Marine Parks

Issue 65 - October 2020, News, Ocean Literacy, Stories from the Sea
a machine robot in the deep sea holding black coral
Black coral photographed in detail by ROV SuBastian at 1200 meters depth on Cairns Seamount. This close up view shows the delicate structures of this poorly understood coral.

For the first time, scientists have viewed the deepest regions of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, discovered five undescribed species consisting of black corals and sponges, and recorded Australia’s first observation of an extremely rare fish. They also took critical habitat samples that will lead to a greater understanding of the spatial relationships between seabed features and the animals found in the Coral Sea.

  • a group of people in a control room on a ship operating a diving machine in in the deep ocean
    Principal Investigator Dr Brendan Brooke, Geoscience Australia at the science controls, managing the operations and directing sampling via ROV SuBastian.
  • Remotely Operated Vehicle SuBastian is moved into position to deploy on Research Vessel Falkor’s aft deck.
  • a group of marine scientist are working in a laboratory
    In Research Vessel Falkor’s wet lab, Dr Steph McLennan – Geoscience Australia – and Jeremy Horowitz – PhD Candidate at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University – take photographs of samples brought up by Remotely Operated Vehicle SuBastian.

The complex and scientifically challenging research was completed aboard Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel​ Falkor, ​on its fourth expedition of the year, as part of the Institute’s Australia campaign. Using a remotely operated underwater robot to view high-resolution video of the bottom of the ocean floor, some 1,820 meters deep, the science team examined deep sea bathymetry, wildlife, and ecosystems. The collaborative mission brought together scientists from Geoscience Australia, James Cook University, University of Sydney, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Queensland Museum Network, and Queensland University of Technology, to answer a range of questions about the geological evolution and biology of the deep sea canyons and reefs.

colourful coral field in the deep in
As ROV SuBastian makes its way up the slopes of the seamounts and canyons the team has been exploring this expedition, the changes in light, temperature, pressure, and other environmental factors are remarkable. From the dark and cold soft sediments of the plateau floor to exposed rocky escarpments, fields of mesophotic black corals, and eventually the well-lit realms of the upper slopes and reef crest – these changes lead to a whole gradient of habitats suitable in different ways for many different species.

“This included the most comprehensive midwater robotic dive survey series to ever have been conducted in the South Pacific,” said Dr. Brendan Brooke, the expedition’s lead scientist from Geoscience Australia. “Research vessel ​Falkor ​has integrated a range of technologies that have allowed us to work across the full range of ocean depths in the Coral Sea and to provide data for multiple disciplines including geology, biology, and oceanography.”

During the expedition, researchers took the deepest samples ever collected of soft coral and scleractinian coral in the Coral Sea. They also collected the first sample of ancient bedrock beneath the Great Barrier Reef, estimated to be between 40 and 50 million years old. Scientists made the first recorded observation in Australia of the extremely rare fish ​Rhinopias agroliba​, a colourful and well-camouflaged ambush predator in the scorpionfish family. The cruise also included the most comprehensive survey of midwater jellyfish in the South Pacific.

  • This Rhinopias agroliba is an exceedingly rare species in this genus and ROV SuBastian getting footage of it in near the Great Barrier Reef is an a range extension record for Australia. The fish appears to “walk” along the seafloor using its pectoral fins, and its motion in doing so has been described as “an awkward, lumbering gait.” It is an ambush predator.
  • a red octopus in the deep sea found by a group of marine scientists
    This octopus was observed at nearly 1200 meters depth, during an exploration of the Ribbon Reef Canyons, around 170 km northeast of Cairns, Australia. The Remotely Operated Vehicle was exploring the mid-section of a canyon that connects directly to the shallow waters of the Great Barrier Reef, offshore from Ribbon Reef 5. The research team was using the high resolution cameras and robotic arm of the ROV to observe and collect samples of the geology and seabed organisms.

In addition to the underwater dives, high-resolution mapping of the seafloor was conducted and covered 38,395 square kilometres, an area three times greater than Sydney. The maps include all the major coral atolls on the Queensland Plateau within the Coral Sea Marine Park and an 80-kilometre section of canyons of the northern Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

a scientist is holding a coral
Mardi McNeil from the Queensland University of Technology inspects a rock sample that was collected by SuBastian from 500m depth on Flinders Reef. Samples like this give insights into what life would have been like in and on corals reefs thousands of years ago, as well as the ability to compare differences in reef communities today.

“These maps, samples, and images are fascinating and provide a new understanding of the geological diversity and biological wealth of a region that is already world-renowned for its natural beauty,” said Dr. Jyotika Virmani, executive director of Schmidt Ocean Institute. “The data will help marine park managers to protect these ecosystems that are so vital for our global biodiversity and human health. ”

Live streaming of the 18 underwater robotic dives via Schmidt Ocean’s channel on ​YouTube​ and 112 hours of high definition underwater video during the month-long expedition, which ended August 30, allowed the science team to share their knowledge and excitement of the voyage’s discoveries with the world. Through the livestreams, the scientists could interact directly with the public via chat and commentary.

“Schmidt Ocean Institute and the technology that it has brought to Australia is a huge enabler in better understanding our marine resources from a lens of diverse disciplines,” said Dr. Scott Nichol, one of the lead expedition scientists from Geoscience Australia. “This work brings new understanding and will keep the scientists busy for years.”

Black coral photographed in detail by ROV SuBastian at 1200 meters depth on Cairns Seamount. This close up view shows the delicate structures of this poorly understood coral.

About the Organization

The Schmidt Ocean Institute was established in 2009 by Eric and Wendy Schmidt to advance oceanographic research through the development of innovative technologies, open sharing of information, and broad communication about ocean health. For more information, visit www.schmidtocean.org.​

RV Falkor holding position on the outside of Ribbon Reef # 5 as ROV SuBastian works its way up the shelf to reveal for the first time ever the origins of the Great Barrier Reef.

This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media