Caribbean scientists explore deep sea off Trinidad and Tobago
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A team of scientists, led by deep-sea ecologist Diva Amon of Trinidad and Tobago, recently completed a comprehensive survey of the deep-sea waters off the coasts of Trinidad and Tobago.
Between June 29 and July 28, the researchers used remotely operated vehicles to explore areas beyond recreational scuba diving depths, mapping approximately 11,335 square kilometers of the seafloor.
This expedition was unique because it was the first time a predominantly Caribbean team investigated the region’s deep ocean environment, a departure from past “parachute science” where foreign researchers led explorations. The team collected over 700 specimens, many of which Amon believes represent new species, and identified 25 active cold seep ecosystems where methane and other gases rise from the ocean floor. One cold seep ecosystem stretched over 2,000 square meters, an area larger than a tennis court.
They also documented a variety of marine life, including a black swallower fish, Mobula ray, corals, sharks, and a possible new species of octopus. The collected specimens will be housed at the Zoology Museum at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago, significantly expanding the museum’s deep-sea collection.
Amon hopes this data will inform better management and protection of the country’s waters, which are currently threatened by oil and gas drilling, plastic pollution, and climate change, especially as the nation considers deeper offshore drilling.
