Marine researchers from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have discovered a new species of deep-sea soft coral that lives in the underwater canyons off the Sonoma coast.
Leptogorgia sp. nov. Image credit: NOAA.
In September 2014, NOAA scientists aboard the 20-m research vessel Fulmar focused their efforts on the head waters of Bodega Canyon and an area west of Salmon Creek.
They used small submersibles to investigate, film and photograph marine life that has adapted to survive in waters reaching 300 meters deep.
After multiple dives, the scientists made a significant discovery – they found a new species of white soft coral at a depth of 183 meters.
According to team member Dr Gary Williams, this species belongs to the soft coral genus Leptogorgia.
“Deep-sea corals and sponges provide valuable refuge for fish and other marine life,” said Maria Brown, a team member and 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.”
The scientists also discovered an unusual nursery area for catsharks and skates.
“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.
In addition to the discoveries, the team conducted video surveys of areas that previously were documented only through sonar imaging.
“The video surveys from this research mission verified the extent of rocky habitat estimated from sonar data collected several years ago, and the quality of rocky habitat in some areas exceeded expectations,” said Guy Cochrane, a U.S. Geological Survey geophysicist.
“Surveys of the seafloor in these waters reveal an abundance and diversity of life in new habitats. 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,” said Danielle Lipski, Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary research coordinator and expedition leader.
