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Deep-sea sponge reef found at site of extinct volcano | Deep-sea sponge reef found at site of extinct volcano |
(7 days later) | |
The UK's most extensive deep-sea sponge ecosystem has been revealed at the site of an extinct volcano. | The UK's most extensive deep-sea sponge ecosystem has been revealed at the site of an extinct volcano. |
Scientists from Marine Scotland found the reef while studying Rosemary Bank, about 100 miles (160km) north west from the Outer Hebrides, in September. | Scientists from Marine Scotland found the reef while studying Rosemary Bank, about 100 miles (160km) north west from the Outer Hebrides, in September. |
The sponges have a skeletal structure and resemble birds' nests, mushrooms or cheese. | The sponges have a skeletal structure and resemble birds' nests, mushrooms or cheese. |
They filter water, a key process for the preservation of oceans, and provide refuge for a variety of species. | They filter water, a key process for the preservation of oceans, and provide refuge for a variety of species. |
The Scottish government designated Rosemary Bank as a marine protected area earlier this year, meaning human activity is restricted there. | |
Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "Scottish waters cover an area around five-times bigger than our land mass and are miles deep in places. | Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "Scottish waters cover an area around five-times bigger than our land mass and are miles deep in places. |
"These hidden gems offer a fascinating glimpse of the treasures that still await discovery under the waves. | "These hidden gems offer a fascinating glimpse of the treasures that still await discovery under the waves. |
"This important discovery is the largest grouping of sponge in the whole of the UK. | "This important discovery is the largest grouping of sponge in the whole of the UK. |
"Scotland's seas are home to a diverse range of precious sea life and it is our responsibility to protect this fragile environment." | "Scotland's seas are home to a diverse range of precious sea life and it is our responsibility to protect this fragile environment." |
Scientists from Marine Scotland said Rosemary Bank - an underwater extinct volcano in the Atlantic Ocean - measures about 1,900m from the sea bed, making it over 500m taller than Ben Nevis. | Scientists from Marine Scotland said Rosemary Bank - an underwater extinct volcano in the Atlantic Ocean - measures about 1,900m from the sea bed, making it over 500m taller than Ben Nevis. |
'Critical role' | 'Critical role' |
A camera deployed from the study vessel Scotia took an hour to reach the ocean floor, where the sponges were discovered. | A camera deployed from the study vessel Scotia took an hour to reach the ocean floor, where the sponges were discovered. |
Some of the animals found in the sponges included deep sea sharks, Grenadier fish, eels, lobsters and octopuses. | Some of the animals found in the sponges included deep sea sharks, Grenadier fish, eels, lobsters and octopuses. |
Francis Neat, chief scientist on the study, said: "Deep-sea sponge reefs such as those on the Rosemary Bank seamount may take hundreds of years to form. | Francis Neat, chief scientist on the study, said: "Deep-sea sponge reefs such as those on the Rosemary Bank seamount may take hundreds of years to form. |
"They provide refuge for a great diversity of marine life." | "They provide refuge for a great diversity of marine life." |
The scientists estimate millions of sponges are in an area of 46-155 sq miles (75-250 sq km), and believe the field could be larger as only a small section of the Bank was explored. | The scientists estimate millions of sponges are in an area of 46-155 sq miles (75-250 sq km), and believe the field could be larger as only a small section of the Bank was explored. |
The discovery has been welcomed by WWF Scotland director Lang Banks. | The discovery has been welcomed by WWF Scotland director Lang Banks. |
He added: "Scotland's seas have once again thrown up some truly amazing finds, and show that we've still much to learn when it comes to life beneath the waves. | He added: "Scotland's seas have once again thrown up some truly amazing finds, and show that we've still much to learn when it comes to life beneath the waves. |
"Sponges play a critical role in our marine environment, helping to filter huge amounts of water and acting as hiding places for fish and other creatures. | "Sponges play a critical role in our marine environment, helping to filter huge amounts of water and acting as hiding places for fish and other creatures. |
"This latest discovery should now help this particular area to be better managed, and underlines exactly why Marine Protected Areas are so important." | "This latest discovery should now help this particular area to be better managed, and underlines exactly why Marine Protected Areas are so important." |
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