Did you know that researchers recently made an exciting discovery in the deep waters of the Caribbean Sea? Using a deep baited remote underwater video system (dBRUVS) off the coast of Little Cayman, a team was able to capture footage of a roughskin dogfish swimming at a depth of 1,054 meters (3,458 feet) – a first-ever record for the Greater Antilles and the Cayman Islands.
The roughskin dogfish, known scientifically as Centroscymnus owstonii, is a small shark that was originally found in the Japanese Islands. Despite its patchy global distribution, very little is known about this elusive creature. In fact, most of the ecological information we have comes from accidental captures by fisheries.
During the expedition, the researchers observed not just one, but three roughskin dogfish swimming around the bait, totaling nearly 11 minutes of footage. This rare sighting sheds light on the biology and behavior of this deep-sea shark species and adds to our understanding of marine biodiversity in the region.
The team behind this groundbreaking discovery believes that dBRUVS technology can revolutionize deep-sea exploration and biodiversity surveys, providing valuable insights into the world beneath the waves. This exciting research has been published in the Journal of Fish Biology, showcasing the importance of underwater technology in unlocking the mysteries of the deep ocean.
