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MARINE scientists discovered a "very rare" shark nursery, located 320 km from the west coast.
The nursery was discovered during a survey of the deep oceanic territory of Ireland and shows the seabed littered with eggs, or "siren purses".
Striking images show a very large number of crates of eggs filmed on the seabed up to 750 meters deep.
Such concentrations are rarely recorded and indicate that females can congregate in the area to lay their eggs.
Nearby coral reefs could also serve as a refuge for young juvenile sharks when they hatch.
A large Black-mouthed Catshark school (Galeus melastomus) was present at the site and scientists said the eggs were likely to come from this species.
But a second species, more unusual and more solitary, the rough Sailfin (Oxynotus paradoxus), has also been observed.
"Both species are of scientific interest as Ireland has the obligation to monitor deep-sea sharks under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive," said Maurice Clarke, of the marine advisory service. fishing ecosystem of the Marine Institute.
The Sailfin roughshark is classified as "Near Threatened" by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, which means it may disappear in the near future.
It can reach 1.2 meters long and, although the scientific team did not observe it, it may have been that it fed eggs.
The nursery was discovered during the SeaRover investigation undertaken last July, which aimed to explore Ireland's deep-water coral reef systems.
The research was funded by the government and public bodies, as well as the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund of the EU.
The results were announced today at the INFOMAR seafloor mapping seminar in Kinsale, during which video clips were released.
The images were captured by the Marine Institute's Holland 1 Remote Control Vehicle (ROV), deployed on board the ILV Granuaile.
Speaking at the event, David O 'Sullivan, INFOMAR and chief scientist of the SeaRover survey (Sensitive Ecosystem Analysis and ROV exploration of habitat from one reef), said: "We are delighted to report the discovery of a rare shark nursery on a scale never documented in Irish waters.
"No pups were evident on the site and it is thought that adult sharks could use degraded coral reefs and exposed carbonate rocks on which to lay their eggs.
"A healthy coral reef in the area can serve as a refuge for young juvenile sharks once hatched. Further study of the site is expected to answer important scientific questions on the biology and ecology of deep-sea sharks in Irish waters. "
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