Have you heard about the incredible discovery made by researchers in the deep waters of the Caribbean Sea? Recently, a team used a deep baited remote underwater video system (dBRUVS) off the coast of Little Cayman and captured footage of a roughskin dogfish swimming at a record depth of 1,054 meters (3,458 feet) – a first-ever sighting for the Greater Antilles and the Cayman Islands.
The roughskin dogfish, scientifically known as Centroscymnus owstonii, is a small shark originally found in the Japanese Islands. Despite its limited global distribution, very little is known about this mysterious creature. Most of the ecological information we have comes from accidental captures by fisheries.
During the expedition, the researchers were lucky enough to witness not just one, but three roughskin dogfish swimming around the bait, allowing for nearly 11 minutes of captivating footage. This rare sighting provides valuable insights into the biology and behavior of this deep-sea shark species, contributing to our understanding of marine biodiversity in the region.
The team behind this groundbreaking discovery believes that dBRUVS technology has the potential to revolutionize deep-sea exploration and biodiversity surveys, offering a glimpse into the fascinating world beneath the waves. This exciting research has been published in the Journal of Fish Biology, highlighting the significance of underwater technology in unraveling the mysteries of the deep ocean.
