The Catilin Seaview Survey discovered healthy coral populations at depths below 30 meters on the Great Barrier Reef.
Australia's unexplored deep reefs —
The Catilin Seaview Survey discovered healthy coral populations at depths below 30 meters on the Great Barrier Reef.
courtesy caitlin seaview survey
These healthy deep reefs are located directly under shallow reefs degraded by storms and other stresses including coral bleaching and invasive crown-of-thorns starfish plagues. The deep coral is often flat because of the lack of light at depth.
Thriving in the deep —
These healthy deep reefs are located directly under shallow reefs degraded by storms and other stresses including coral bleaching and invasive crown-of-thorns starfish plagues. The deep coral is often flat because of the lack of light at depth.
courtesy caitlin seaview survey
Remote operated vehicles (ROVs) were used to get to depths of around 100 meters, much deeper than normal scuba divers are able to go.
Roving submersibles —
Remote operated vehicles (ROVs) were used to get to depths of around 100 meters, much deeper than normal scuba divers are able to go.
courtesy caitlin seaview survey
"At the moment we know little about the extent of larval movements between the shallow and deep reef, but we are seeing species that exist in both zones," said Pim Bongaerts.
Coral survey —
"At the moment we know little about the extent of larval movements between the shallow and deep reef, but we are seeing species that exist in both zones," said Pim Bongaerts.
courtesy caitlin seaview survey
The image shows damage inflicted on Beaver Reef, part of the Great Barrier Reef, by the crown-of-thorns starfish, a species native to Australia which feeds on coral.
Shallow reef damage —
The image shows damage inflicted on Beaver Reef, part of the Great Barrier Reef, by the crown-of-thorns starfish, a species native to Australia which feeds on coral.
AIMS Long-term Monitoring Team