A team of James Cook University (JCU) marine researchers are currently aboard CSIRO research vessel (RV) Investigator, looking to discover new species and unlock the secrets of Australia's deep ocean.
The 2025 Coral Sea Frontier voyage, led by CSIRO, Australia's national science agency, has seen five JCU researchers join with other scientists, CSIRO technical staff and crew for 35 days to conduct a deep-sea biodiversity assessment in the Coral Sea Marine Park off the coast of Queensland.
This project will deliver the first modern dedicated deep-sea survey of benthic (sea floor) marine life in the Coral Sea Marine Park.
JCU Associate Professor Sue-Ann Watson said she is excited to be involved in the project as they prepare to discover, describe and compare deep-sea marine life, while also mapping the seafloor in detail and collecting and comparing other data.
"We have no idea what we might find in many of these places, and we're bound to get species that are new to science," she said.
"It's exciting because often, when we do marine science, we work closer to the shore as coastal areas are more accessible. But this is a chance to go beyond the Great Barrier Reef, right into the Coral Sea to seamounts (undersea mountains) and the deep ocean, and that's where lots of exciting discoveries are to be made."
Using specialised scientific equipment such as a deep towed camera, environmental DNA (eDNA) sampler, trawls and sleds, the expedition will investigate biodiversity patterns, endemic species and how marine life varies across key geological features and bioregions.
"The science team on RV Investigator work 12-hour shifts, so it's 2am to 2pm and then 2pm to 2am; this means science work happens 24/7 onboard," explained Associate Prof Watson.
"So, depending on where the ship is, will depend on whether we're steaming to a new location, towing a camera, collecting specimens, or taking water samples.
"When animals are brought onboard, we photograph, measure and preserve them for permanent storage in collections and museums for future science."
Findings will support Parks Australia in managing the Coral Sea Marine Park by providing critical data to guide evidence-based protection of benthic communities.
This research is supported by a grant of sea time on RV Investigator from the CSIRO Marine National Facility which is supported by the Australian Government's National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS). It is also supported by Parks Australia, Bush Blitz, the Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census, and in collaboration with a network of leading museums, universities and research institutes.
