Shallow Water Biodiversity in the Marianas

During the NA171 expedition, ROV Hercules went somewhere it doesn’t normally go: the shallow ocean! In this case, shallow is a relative term, but for our deep-diving ROV, exploring depths of only up to 500 meters is certainly rare. While exploring Ahyi and West Mariana Seamounts, we saw some amazing views of the biodiversity that call these shallow submarine volcanoes home, including a variety of requiem sharks, trumpet fish, sea stars, and more. 

We watched a gorgeous marbled ray make its way over the reefs and observed plate coral, common in shallow dive sites, growing in tandem with available sunlight. They create habitat for a plethora of other corals and sponges as well as associates like crinoids, anemones, and shrimp. Watch and be wowed by reef fish like parrotfish, squirrelfish, and even a pufferfish! From slimy moray eels to spiky sea urchins, these shallow dives provided us a rare glimpse into habitats we don’t normally get to see during our deep-sea exploration efforts. 

The Mattingan: Mariana Arc Volcanic Exploration (NA171) expedition is exploring deep-sea areas identified by the local management and science community, including sites with signatures of active volcanism, abyssal plain habitats, and areas in and around the Monument where new data can support resource management priorities. This expedition is supported by NOAA Ocean Exploration, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and the US Geological Survey via the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute.