In Search Of Deep Water Corals

James Gates from Living Oceans Society in Canada contacted me recently to help spread the word on an exciting expedition that's set to launch on World Oceans Day, June 8th. The Finding Coral Expedition is planning to do just that: They are in search of cold water, deep sea corals off the coast of British Columbia.

The expedition hopes to locate B.C.’s deep sea coral communities and characterize some of the associated life that calls these deep water ecosystems home. It is very likely that there will be species of fish, invertebrates and corals that have never been seen before. James mentions that while the expedition team hopes to find pristine habitats, they are prepared to also discover coral zones smashed to rubble by environmentally unsustainable fishing gear that drags across the seafloor, devastating everything in its path.

Let's hope for the former.

You can follow the expedition by visiting their website. Good luck, James, and the entire Living Oceans Society team!