According to Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) its Wealth from Oceans Flagship team has unearthed many new marine species and undersea mountains, in a project to monitor the Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network off southern Tasmania. The report indicates some remarkable findings were made during surveys of the Tasman Fracture and Huon Commonwealth Marine Reserves, about 100 nautical miles off the coast of southern Tasmania.
It is told that the project is collaboration with the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage & the Arts. The main purpose of the project is to provide inventories of biodiversity and habitats, and develop operational detail for ongoing monitoring of the network. A team of scientists analysed the findings, which include an incredible 274 species new to science and a further 80 seamounts, or undersea mountains, which are some of the most biologically important habitats in our oceans.
Data from this marine research project came from two surveys undertaken on the Marine National Facility Vessel, the Research Vessel Southern Surveyor. It reveals that in total, 274 species new to science were brought to the surface and analysed, along with 86 species previously unknown in Australian waters and 242 previously studied species. It is told that scientists also discovered 145 new undersea canyons, raising the regional total to at least 276.
