In 2023, researchers embarked on an expedition to an ancient underwater volcano off British Columbia, thinking they’d find a long-dead seamount. Instead, they stumbled upon a lively ecosystem. The volcano was still active, releasing warm, mineral-rich fluids into the cold Pacific waters. At nearly a mile deep, the volcano’s summit was alive with deep-sea corals and tens of thousands of giant egg cases.
Dr. Cherisse Du Preez, a marine biologist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, led the exploration. She was amazed by the discovery. “The previous sighting of a Pacific white skate nursery in the Galápagos only had a dozen eggs,” she told Live Science. But this site possibly held around 100,000 eggs, each about half a meter long and resembling “mermaid’s purses,” a nickname for their unique shape.
The real highlight was observing a Pacific white skate laying her eggs among the corals. This rare moment was filmed for the first time, giving scientists a closer look at the still-mysterious reproductive habits of this deep-sea species.
The Pacific white skate (Bathyraja spinosissima) is typically found at depths between 800 and 2,900 meters. Females can grow over six feet and, like many fish, lay eggs that take four years to hatch. Significantly, the warmth from the volcano’s hydrothermal vents might speed up this long gestation process. Evidence from 2018 supports this theory, showing similar warm-water benefits in the Galápagos.
Du Preez noted, “The warm water likely increases the likelihood of successful hatching. The shallow summit is like a coral garden and a protective nursery for young skates.”
However, there’s a pressing concern. This unique habitat is unprotected, making it vulnerable to fishing and other human activities. Scientists are advocating for stronger marine conservation to safeguard this vital ecosystem before it is disturbed.
The discovery of this vibrant life in a seemingly barren place shows just how much we still have to learn about the deep sea. Understanding these environments can help us see how everything is linked—geology, biology, and survival. As we unveil more secrets of our oceans, it becomes clear that protecting these areas is crucial for sustaining life.
For more detailed information, you can explore resources like the NOAA.
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Pacific white skate, underwater volcano Canada, Bathyraja spinosissima, deep-sea nursery, hydrothermal vent eggs, marine biology discoveries, mermaid’s purse eggs, volcano ocean life, Canadian marine ecosystems, deep-sea biodiversity
