Catch of the day! New species of fish found in waters more than SIX MILES deep off the coast of New Zealand
Worldwide, Daily news | ankakh | February 9, 2013 20:14
Scientists have discovered a new species of fish in waters more than six miles deep.
The researchers discovered the new breed of eelpout fish while combing some of the deepest waters in the world near theKermadecIslands, north ofNew Zealand.
The waters in which the team from theUniversityofAberdeen’s Oceanlab are so deep that they exceed the height ofMount Everest. The scientists launched more than 50 fishing nets over the last 14 months to a depth 9,900 metres -1,052 metres deeper than the height ofMount Everest, which is 8,848 metres.
Dr Alan Jamieson, the voyage leader, said: ‘We are never quite sure what we will find on these expeditions to unchartered territories.
‘We had set out to find out more about the deep sea fish communities and we were delighted to find both new species and new depth records for fish.
Because the waters the fish were found in are so deep, the fish are unable to see.
‘They wouldn’t be able to see a thing if they were at a higher depth as white light from the sun is too bright.
‘They’re surrounded by pure darkness at depths of the sea they live in, but jellyfish and shrimps give off a very, very dim blue light which eelpouts and the like can actually see.’
‘The results from this deep exploration are giving us a much better understanding of biodiversity in the deep sea around New Zealand, and enable us to better assess potential risks to the ecosystem from future climate change and even human activities which may include seabed mining.
The new specimens are being held at the National Fish Collection at theMuseumofNew Zealand.
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