A deep-sea swimming sea cucumber, Enypniastes eximia, also known as a headless chicken monster, has been filmed for the first time in Southern Ocean waters off East Antarctica using underwater camera technology developed by Australian researchers.
The creature, which has only been filmed before in the Gulf of Mexico, was discovered in 3km of water using an underwater camera system developed for commercial long-line fishing by the Australian Antarctic Division.
“The housing that protects the camera and electronics is designed to attach to toothfish longlines in the Southern Ocean, so it needs to be extremely durable,” said Australian Antarctic Division Program Leader Dr Dirk Welsford.
“We needed something that could be thrown from the side of a boat, and would continue operating reliably under extreme pressure in the pitch black for long periods of time.
“Some of the footage we are getting back from the cameras is breathtaking, including species we have never seen in this part of the world.”
“Most importantly, the cameras are providing important information about areas of sea floor that can withstand this type of fishing, and sensitive areas that should be avoided,” said Dr Welsford.
The data collected from the cameras are being presented at the annual CCAMLR (Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources) meeting starting in Hobart today.
Australia’s CCAMLR Commissioner, Gillian Slocum, said Australia will continue to lead on the most pressing issues facing the Southern Ocean, including biodiversity conservation, climate change and science-based fisheries management.
“Australia will again be seeking support for the creation of a new East Antarctic Marine Protected Area,” she said.
“We will also support two other new Marine Protected Areas being proposed this year which will contribute to CCAMLR’s commitment of a representative system of MPAs in the Southern Ocean.”
These proposals are among a number of measures Australia will put forward during the 10-day meeting, including proposals to improve the way CCAMLR responds to the impacts of climate change.
“The Southern Ocean is home to an incredible abundance and variety of marine life, including commercially sought-after species, the harvesting of which must be carefully managed for future generations,” said Slocum.
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