Deep-sea explorers capture footage of the deepest fish ever recorded in Japan's trench.
Scientists from the University of Western Australia and Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology have made a groundbreaking discovery, capturing footage of the world's deepest fish at an unprecedented depth of 8,336 meters (approximately 27,000 feet) off the coast of Japan. The young snailfish was spotted hovering near other crustaceans on the seabed.
This remarkable find not only breaks the record for the deepest fish ever recorded but also sheds light on the habits of these deep-sea creatures. According to marine biologist Alan Jamieson, founder of the Minderoo-UWA Deep Sea Research Centre, this discovery is significant because it shows how far a particular type of fish can descend in the ocean.
The footage was captured by sea robots called "landers" during a two-month survey last year. The researchers also caught two other snailfish specimens at 8,022 meters, setting another record for the deepest catch. These findings are part of a decade-long study into the deepest fish populations in the world.
Snailfish, members of the Liparidae family, are known to thrive in shallow waters but some species can survive at extreme depths, including this new record-breaker. The deep-sea snailfish have unique features that enable them to withstand the harsh environment, such as tiny eyes and a translucent body.
The Pacific Ocean is an ideal location for such studies due to its warm southern current, which encourages sea creatures to venture deeper, and abundant marine life providing a rich source of food for bottom feeders. However, scientists face significant technological costs in conducting these underwater expeditions, with each lander costing $200,000 to assemble and operate.
This remarkable discovery highlights the importance of continued research into the deepest parts of our oceans, despite the challenges that come with it. As Professor Jamieson notes, "the challenges are that technology has been expensive and scientists don't have a lot of money." Nevertheless, the capture of this footage provides a rare glimpse into the lives of these extraordinary creatures and will undoubtedly contribute to our understanding of the deep-sea ecosystem.
				
			Scientists from the University of Western Australia and Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology have made a groundbreaking discovery, capturing footage of the world's deepest fish at an unprecedented depth of 8,336 meters (approximately 27,000 feet) off the coast of Japan. The young snailfish was spotted hovering near other crustaceans on the seabed.
This remarkable find not only breaks the record for the deepest fish ever recorded but also sheds light on the habits of these deep-sea creatures. According to marine biologist Alan Jamieson, founder of the Minderoo-UWA Deep Sea Research Centre, this discovery is significant because it shows how far a particular type of fish can descend in the ocean.
The footage was captured by sea robots called "landers" during a two-month survey last year. The researchers also caught two other snailfish specimens at 8,022 meters, setting another record for the deepest catch. These findings are part of a decade-long study into the deepest fish populations in the world.
Snailfish, members of the Liparidae family, are known to thrive in shallow waters but some species can survive at extreme depths, including this new record-breaker. The deep-sea snailfish have unique features that enable them to withstand the harsh environment, such as tiny eyes and a translucent body.
The Pacific Ocean is an ideal location for such studies due to its warm southern current, which encourages sea creatures to venture deeper, and abundant marine life providing a rich source of food for bottom feeders. However, scientists face significant technological costs in conducting these underwater expeditions, with each lander costing $200,000 to assemble and operate.
This remarkable discovery highlights the importance of continued research into the deepest parts of our oceans, despite the challenges that come with it. As Professor Jamieson notes, "the challenges are that technology has been expensive and scientists don't have a lot of money." Nevertheless, the capture of this footage provides a rare glimpse into the lives of these extraordinary creatures and will undoubtedly contribute to our understanding of the deep-sea ecosystem.