Download Into the deep unknown – scientists embark on a mission to explore

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Embargoed until 00:01CET November 7, 2011
Into the deep unknown – scientists embark on a mission to
explore underwater mountains
Background: Top marine scientists from around the world are setting off on a six-week cruise on
board the RRS James Cook today to explore underwater mountains – or seamounts – of the
southwest Indian Ocean Ridge. Their main focus will be to study species which live on the seabed
and to understand the impacts that deep sea fishing has on marine life in the region.
This is the second time scientists will explore the area. A similar expedition took place in 2009 and resulted
in the first ever comprehensive survey of marine life above seamounts. It also led to the discovery of a new
species of squid. This time the spotlight is on marine life living near the bottom of the ocean.
Both expeditions are part of the Seamounts Project funded by IUCN, the Global Environment Facility and
the UK Natural Environment Research Council.
Key Issues:
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What are seamounts and why are they important?
“Seamounts are underwater mountains which rise to at least 1,000 meters above the sea floor”,
says Aurélie Spadone, IUCN’s Marine Programme Officer and a member of the team on
board. “Because of their interactions with underwater currents, the biodiversity that develops
around them is remarkably rich. They attract a great diversity of species and act as a type of ‘bed
and breakfast’ for deep sea predators such as sharks, which often feed on seamount communities.”
What threats are they facing?
“The limited knowledge of species associated with seamounts that we have today indicates that
many of them grow and reproduce slowly, which makes them particularly vulnerable to
overexploitation,” says Carl Gustaf Lundin, Director of IUCN’s Global Marine and Polar
Programme. “Deep-sea bottom fisheries, including bottom trawling, can damage seamount
habitats and negatively impact fish stocks. It can also irreversibly damage cold water corals,
sponges and other animals.”
What are we hoping to achieve?
“Seamounts are an oasis for species living in the deep sea”, says Alex Rogers of the
University of Oxford and chief scientist on board. “We’re hoping that this expedition will
help us better understand this unique marine life and assess the threats it faces. Based on
what we learn by studying five seamounts in the southwest Indian Ridge, we’re hoping to get
a better idea of where special habitats, such as cold water coral reefs, occur on seamounts
and how we can protect them in the ocean globally. Perhaps we’ll also be lucky enough to
discover some new species living in these virtually unknown waters.”
Spokespersons:
Aurélie Spadone, IUCN’s Marine Programme Officer, e-mail: [email protected]
Alex Rogers, University of Oxford, e-mail: [email protected]
Carl Gustaf Lundin, Director of IUCN’s Global Marine and Polar Programme, e-mail: [email protected]
François Simard, Deputy Head and Senior Advisor for Fisheries, IUCN Global Marine and Polar Programme, email: [email protected]
Materials for the Media:
Expedition blog: http://seamountsexpedition.blogspot.com/
Photos for download: http://tinyurl.com/6lx829h
NOTE: These images are copyright-protected and can be used solely in relation to this release.
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