New Deep-Sea Discoveries in the Kermadec Trench
Researchers from the National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research in New Zealand uncovered a belly-up red anglerfish along with several other surprising creatures in the Kermadec Trench, at a remarkable depth near 5,736 meters below the surface. This finding was reported by Live Science.
A multinational team from China and New Zealand spent multiple hours aboard the IDSSE research vessel Tansuoyihao during an expedition to the Kermadec Trough in November 2022. Marine biologist Karin Schnabel and pilot Deng Yu Qing made history by becoming the first women to reach the trench floor on this mission.
During the voyage, researchers spotted a rare deep-sea star, hymenasterfirst, a species observed in the 1950s but rarely seen since. The star was noted for its distinctive appearance and the unique environment in which it lives.
Observations also showed that the deep-sea star fed on the carcass of a large sunfish. The carcass attracted a swarm of deep-sea fish and thousands of crustaceans, illustrating the complex scavenging networks that sustain life at such extreme depths.
Several of the creatures documented during the dive appear to be new to science. An upside-down red lanternfish, belonging to the gigantactis lineage, captivated researchers. This species uses bait suspended above the body as it swims in an inverted posture, a behavior that challenges common expectations of deep-sea predation.
The Kermadec Trench extends for more than a thousand kilometers and lies off New Zealand’s northern coast. Its deepest known point is the Scholl Deep, which reaches about 10,047 meters below sea level. The expedition highlights how much remains to be learned about life in the deepest oceans and the ecosystems that flourish there [citation: NIWA].
These discoveries underscore the importance of international cooperation in ocean science. By combining resources, expertise, and advanced underwater technologies, researchers can push the boundaries of what is known about the planet’s most inaccessible habitats. Further expeditions are expected to reveal additional species and deepen understanding of how deep-sea communities respond to changing ocean conditions [citation: Live Science].