Secrets of the deep ocean

Parts of the ocean floor are being explored for the first time. Scientists are using technology to map the damage caused by humanity—and reveal clues about how the ocean can be better protected. Film supported by @blancpain

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Deep beneath the ocean’s surface lie vast areas of seabed that have never before been explored by humankind. Now state-of-the-art technology is giving these scientists an unprecedented opportunity to conduct research that is vital to protecting the ocean. And to uncovering the true nature of damage being done to it.

This is the RV Investigator. The ship used by the Australian government and marine scientists to research the deep ocean.

Off the coast of Tasmania a team of scientists is on a remarkable mission to investigate marine life thousands of metres below the surface. To do this they are using advanced cameras attached to a submersible platform. The system is carefully dropped 1,000 metres down below the surface. It’s Karl’s job to make sure he stops the platform just two metres before it reaches the seabed.

Then the challenging task begins - navigating the craggy and uneven terrain of seamounts. Though found throughout the ocean,

from the poles to the equator, over 99% of them are unexplored. Scientists have discovered that seamounts support astonishingly diverse and unique ecosystems and provide food and spawning grounds to a wide variety of fish and sea mammals.

Today the team is surveying an area of the ocean floor that has never been explored before. In these dark depths over 1,000 metres below the surface the team is astonished to discover thriving coral communities. But the team is also visiting parts of the seabed that have experienced human contact before. To survey areas that have been damaged by bottom trawling. This method of fishing provides the biggest annual catch globally but uses vast nets that can literally scrape marine life off the ocean floor. Damage to seamounts here was first logged by scientists in the 1990s. But a marine protected area now keeps many of them safe from the nets.

The first signs are encouraging. Marine life is returning, anemones are beginning to grow back on the damaged areas. But it’s what the team can’t see that’s more worrying. There is little evidence that damaged coral itself the heartbeat of ecosystems down here

is reforming.

The data gathered here will form part of a growing body of evidence helping scientists evaluate whether damaged areas

will ever properly recover. The results from this trip are vital for the ocean’s would-be protectors as part of the wider battle to preserve marine habitats across the ocean floor. And make the case for more controlled and sustainable fishing.

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