DEEP REEF

Jun 2008-Present

The Deep Reef project explores the biological diversity and distribution of marine organisms occurring at the deepest extent of reefs in the Caribbean (~122 m or ~400 ft).

Using Deep See's Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) "Little Tyche", we are compiling videos of the reef walls around Little Cayman between 20-160 m (66-525 ft). We will also attempt a dive to 700 m (2,300 ft).

Collecting this volume of data from deep reefs is unprecedented because it is beyond the capability of SCUBA and technical diving which do not allow sufficient bottom times.

The project will attempt to address several major questions including:

1) Are deep reefs important to the coral reef system’s survival and replenishment?
2) Do deep corals have fluorescing qualities similar to the shallow reef?

Scientists, reef managers, and fisherman alike need to understand the connections between the shallow reef and deeper reef communities to understand whether deep reefs have the potential for re-seeding the shallow reefs which have been declining over the past decades. Understanding these connections can also assist scientists in better predicting and mitigating the effects of climate change.