Unique fauna of the Cape Range and Coates Canyons off of Ningaloo have been documented at unexplored depths by researchers from the Western Australian Museum aboard Schmidt Ocean Institute’s R/V Falkor. Seemingly the longest animal ever recorded, glass sponges and octopus squid are among species seen for the first time in Western Australia.
An estimated 150-foot siphonophore– seemingly the longest animal ever recorded was discovered during a month-long scientific expedition exploring the submarine canyons near Ningaloo. Additionally, up to 30 new underwater species were made by researchers from the Western Australian Museum aboard Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel Falkor.
The discovery of the massive gelatinous string siphonophore–a floating colony of tiny individual zooids that clone themselves thousands of times into specialized bodies that string together to work as a team–was just one of the unique finds among some of the deepest fish and marine invertebrates ever recorded for Western Australia.
ROV SuBastian is lifted back in deck after another day’s dive down to 2500+ m in the Cape Range Canyon off Ningaloo in western Australia.
Scientists from the Western Australian Museum, led by Chief Scientist Dr Nerida Wilson, were joined by researchers from Curtin University, Geoscience Australia and Scripps Institution of Oceanography in exploring the Ningaloo Canyons in the Indian Ocean. Using an underwater robot, ROV SuBastian, they completed 20 dives at depths of up to 4,500 meters over 181 hours of exploration.
During the expedition, scientists collected the first giant hydroids in Australia, discovered large communities of glass sponges in Cape Range Canyon, and observed for the first time in Western Australia the bioluminescent Taning’s octopus squid, long-tailed sea cucumber, and a number of other molluscs, barnacle and squat lobster species. Some of the species collected will be exhibited at the Western Australian Museum.
The team also found the largest specimen of the giant siphonophore Apolemia ever recorded–video of which was posted on Schmidt Ocean Institute’s Twitter account. “We suspected these deep-sea areas would be diverse but we have been blown away by the significance of what we have seen,” Wilson said. Added Dr Lisa Kirkendale, head of aquatic zoology at the Western Australian Museum and co-principal investigator I, “These specimens represent so many extensions in-depth and range records for so many species and will form an important new part of WA Museum collections.”
A rare deep-sea hydroid is discovered by Dr Nerida Wilson (Chief Scientist, Western Australian Museum) and her team. The animal was found at 2497 m in Cape Range Canyon using ROV SuBastian. Branchiocerianthus is a giant hydroid that consists of a single polyp on a long stem living on a sandy bottom. It is a close relative of corals, anemones and sea fans. It is the first time this amazing animal has been filmed and collected in Australian waters. Others have been found elsewhere in the world including Japan, Ireland and Norway. 
As the light fades, Deborah Smith (Marine Technician) assists with the deployment of the lander (out of frame). 
Dr Lisa Kirkendale (Curator, Western Australian Museum) sits at the control station and pinpoints an area of interest for the ROV team. Beside her, Dr Nerida Wilson (Chief Scientist, Western Australian Museum) controls ROV SuBastian’s 4K camera to get as clear a shot as possible. Dr Greg Rouse (Marine Invertebrate Expert, Scripps Oceanography) watches on as collection of this interesting specimen begins. 
On the journey back up from 2,500 m, SuBastian’s cameras capture something incredible at 625 m below the surface. The largest siphonophore ever seen from ROV SuBastian, and the largest that anyone on board has ever seen at around 15 metres across. Dr Nerida Wilson (Chief Scientist, Western Australian Museum), Dr Greg Rouse (Marine Invertebrate Expert, Scripps Oceanography) and their colleagues watch in astonishment.
The expedition is part of Schmidt Ocean Institute’s year-long initiative in Australia and the Pacific to conduct a number of science and engineering expeditions with teams of scientists and researchers from around the world. Using the underwater robot SuBastian, scientists for the first time are able to explore deep-sea canyons and coral reefs around Australia that have never been seen before. The footage and samples collected from the oceans that surround Australia will have important implications for the sustainability and protection of these underwater ecosystems—and for similar habitats worldwide that are in peril because of rising ocean temperatures and other environmental threats.
Owned and operated by Schmidt Ocean Institute, a philanthropic non-profit established by Eric and Wendy Schmidt in 2009, Falkor is the only year-round seagoing philanthropic research vessel in the world. The vessel is equipped with a state-of-the-art 4,500 meter-capable underwater robotic system, ROV SuBastian, that was used to visually explore and collect samples from critical deep ocean areas that had not been explored before. The ship and ROV are both made available to the international scientific community at no cost, and the scientists agree to make their discoveries publicly available. The collection data for these specimens will be made publicly available.
“There is so much we don’t know about the deep sea, and there are countless species never before seen,” said Wendy Schmidt, co-founder of Schmidt Ocean Institute. “Our planet is deeply interconnected–what happens in the deep sea impacts life on land–and vice versa. This research is vital to advance our understanding of that connection–and the importance of protecting these fragile ecosystems. The Ningaloo Canyons are just one of many vast underwater wonders we are about to discover that can help us better understand our planet.”
Dr Lisa Kirkendale (Curator, Western Australian Museum) looks across the wet lab as David Juszkiewicz (Student Opportunities Participant, Curtin University) inspects a very interesting specimen – a XXX. 
Dr Nerida Wilson (Chief Scientist, Western Australian Museum) takes tiny samples of a hymenaster, a type of deep sea starfish (also known as slime stars) for DNA profiling. This allows scientists to make a precise record of each species they find, which can be compared to existing records. 
An echinoderm from the class Holothuroidea, otherwise known as a sea cucumber is carefully examined, sampled and documented in the wet lab. 
A sea star is inspected under the microscope to investigate a small parisite which is attached to one of the legs. 
Dr Glenn Moore (Curator, Western Australian Museum) processes a specimen recovered from depth. Antimora rostrata, commonly known as violet cod, will be documented and analysed both on board Falkor and later at the Western Australian Museum. 
Galacantha rostrata, commonly known as a squat lobster, is a species with global spread. However, this is the first time that one has been picked up in western Australia. 
Andrew Hosie (Curator, Western Australian Museum) photographs a beautiful specipen during a busy evening in the wet lab. The moment ROV SuBastian lands back on deck, the science team jump into action to process their finds as quickly and efficiently as possible.
The science completed will allow the research team to formally describe many of the new species of animals that were found, develop ROV methodology for monitoring Marine Parks in Australia and screen deep water samples for environmental DNA in the Indian Ocean. The ROV SuBastian dives were live-streamed and are available in perpetuity on Schmidt Ocean Institute’s YouTube page, including video highlights, making the incredible diversity in the Ningaloo region available for the public to explore. The footage and specimens collected are important records within the Gascoyne Marine Park, serving as a permanent record of biodiversity in the canyons to build on in the future.
A selection of amphipods sit on ice in the wet lab as they are processed by the science team. These scavenging creatures were caught in baited fish traps which were left on the sea floor for 12 hours. The large orange specimen belongs to the Eurythenes genus, which recently made headlines when a new species was discovered; Eurythenes plasticus, which was found with traces of plastic in its gut, hence the name. 
Georgia Nester (Student Opportunities Participant, Curtin University) processes water samples from the CTD for eDNA (environmental DNA) analysis. 
In the wet lab Dr Greg Rouse (Marine Invertebrate Expert, Scripps Oceanography) places a small urchin into preservative. This will be taken back to the Western Australian Museum for future analysis.
“Ongoing scientific exploration is vital to the effective management of our marine parks,” said Dr James Findlay, director of Australia’s National Parks, who has been closely following the Falkor expedition, “and we are committed to partnering with other agencies to record and monitor these precious places.”
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.
The Western Australian Museum is the State’s premier cultural organisation, housing WA’s scientific and cultural collection. For over 120 years the Museum has been making the State’s natural and social heritage accessible and engaging through research, exhibitions and public programs. They are currently building the New Museum for WA. More information at http://museum.wa.gov.au/
This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media