Scientists
from the University of Aberdeen have uncovered a new species of fish near New
Zealand.
The
animal was found on a voyage to one of the deepest points on the planet.
During
seven days of ocean sampling, near the Kermadec Islands, at depths of between 1-6.5km,
the group took over 6500 photographs of deep sea fish and snapped around 100
fish.
The
experts discovered a new species of eelpout at depths of 4250m, new depth
records of 5500m for a rattail fish, another rattail fish which has not been
caught in New Zealand waters for over 100 years and new depth records of 3500m
for large deep sea cusk eels.
Scientist
from the University of Aberdeen’s Oceanlab, NIWA and Museum of New Zealand Te
Papa Tongarewa combined to explore the waters well below the depth that light
penetrates.
 |
New fish: A previously unknown species of eelpout was found at depths of 4250m. University of Aberdeen |
Voyage
leader Dr Alan Jamieson, from Oceanlab, 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.”
“Between
this and the previous expeditions we have now sampled from a depth range
greater than Mount Everest is high. What makes the whole experience even more
personally satisfying is that all the equipment used in these research cruises
was designed and constructed at Oceanlab."
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