Recently discovered rare deep-water coral off the Irish coast

A team of Irish and British scientists identified newly discovered deepwater coral gardens and an entire sponge reef off the west coast of Ireland.

A type of "black coral" identified on the mission may be an entirely new species, according to David O. Sullivan, Senior Scientist of the Marine Institute Expedition, and Louise Allbad, Professor at NUI Galway

million. O & # 39; Sullivan also notes that the Sponge Reef is the first habitat of this type discovered in Irish waters.

Dr. Kerry Howell, a scientist from the University of Plymouth, says she has not seen a sponge reef like this in 20 years of study from the deep Northeast Atlantic, and says that such features can provide

A three-week mission on the Irish ship Lights Granuaile undertook an audit of the environment of the deep Irish Sea in areas up to 300 nautical miles from Galway.

Images taken on t The Porcupine and Rockall benches were recorded to a depth of 2,991 m, using the Marine Institute Remote Control Vehicle (ROV) High Definition Camera Holland 1 .

Several "firsts" recorded by the team in Irish waters included a species of "octocorail" of the genus Corallium including large coral fans with a fragile "porcelain skeleton". [19659008] This delicate octocoral, Corallium, has never been recorded in The Irish Waters Before. Photography: Marine Institute ” height=”349″ src=”http://www.irishtimes.com/polopoly_fs/1.3573793!/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_620/image.jpg” width=”620″/>

"Bamboo coral is where the continental shelf goes deep into the Atlantic, and can be over 100 years old," said Professor Allbad

"Amazed by Diversity" [19659012] she explained, because of her black skeleton – takes on a brownish red or creamy white color, depending on the place.

Black coral is listed as an internationally protected species, as it was used to make jewelry in the tropics, "I knew we had some types here, but I'm amazed by the diversity," says the professor. Allbad.

Scientists have explained that coral reefs of cold water are ecosystems harboring a diverse range of marine species. animals, including gorgonians, sponges, worms, starfish, crustaceans and various fish species, making them habitats vital to marine biodiversity. "

" These fragile reefs are generally badociated with topographical. ts, eg continental margins, seamounts and mid-ocean ridges, "they said.

As filter feeders, corals depend on suspended particulate matter – resembling a kind of "marine snow" composed of many materials at great depth.

The team of six scientists worked alongside six technicians. The ROV was deployed along three seabed sections during the 1,419 nautical mile voyage.

Up to 20,000 high-definition images of 50 sites will be badyzed further, while samples were also collected by the ROV. The high seas environment of Ireland is part of the SeaRover project that started last year, and the data will be transmitted first to the National Parks and Wildlife Service

This will then serve as a basis for environmental badessments for any future offshore activity, whether for oil, gas or fishing, according to scientists.

It also provides a "snapshot" of the health of existing special marine areas. Conservation off the Irish coast.

The study areas of the mission were enlightened by the Irish National Seabed Survey, Infomar, jointly managed by the Geological Survey of Ireland and the United States. Institute of the Sea.