![]() Biolumescent loosejaw and humpback blackdevils, a type of anglerfish, have evolved with in-built lanterns to seek out and draw in their prey. In the midnight, hadal and abyssal zones, fish and other creatures must make their own light. By one estimate, 90% of the species that researchers collect are new to science, including the pale “ghost” octopus that lays its eggs on sponge stalks anchored to manganese nodules or the single-celled, tennis-ball sized Xenophyophores. ![]() ![]() The deep ocean is the least known environment on Earth, a realm that still inspires awe and wonder. At that point, it says TMC’s subsidiary Nauru Ocean Resources Inc (NORI), intends to apply for approval to begin mining in the Clarion-Clipperton zone, an expanse of the North Pacific between Hawaii and Mexico. By triggering the “two-year rule”, the island nation has in effect given regulators 24 months to finish the rulebook. Map showing location of the Clarion-Clipperton zone in Pacific ![]() But progress is slower than mining companies and their investors would like. The rulebook is being drawn up by the ISA, set up in 1994 by the United Nations to oversee sustainable seabed exploration for the benefit of all humanity. All they need now is a set of internationally agreed operating rules. They already have exploration permits for an expanse of international seabed as large as France and Germany combined, an area that is likely to expand rapidly. If the world wants to decarbonise and reach net-zero emissions by 2050, they say we must start extracting the resources for car batteries and wind turbines soon. They say the minerals – copper, cobalt, nickel and manganese – are essential for a green transition. Mining companies also insist on urgency – to start exploration. We need an urgent deep-sea mining moratorium to protect the oceans.” “They simply cannot allow these reckless companies to rush headlong into a race to the bottom, where little-known ecosystems will be ploughed up for profit, and the risks and liabilities will be pushed on to small island nations. “This is now a test of governments who claim to want to protect the oceans,” she said. Given the potential risks of fisheries disturbance, water contamination, sound pollution and habitat destruction for dumbo octopuses, sea pangolins and other species, she says no new licences should be approved. Louisa Casson, an oceans campaigner at Greenpeace International, says the two-year deadline is “really dangerous”. With thanks to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI).A dumbo octopus, just one of millions of barely understood deep-sea species at risk from mining. ![]() But for a fish with a highly extendable stomach, the lured in squid makes a satisfying meal. For a hunting squid with huge eyes, the glimmers are intriguing - they might just be food. These fish are called anglers because the fish use their lures much like a fly fisherman uses their imitation flies. It's not easy to see the purpose of one that's suspended on a long rod way below its owners terrifying teeth, but then this monster does have another giant flashing lure close to its mouth. There are all sorts of lures out in the darkness. The light is generated by bacteria that live permanently inside the fish's lures, and attracts prey to sets of murderous teeth. A deep sea angler fish flashes in the darkness. These flashing lights are generated by animals - this is bioluminescence. If you turn off the submersible headlights, you can see a pyrotechnic display in the deep sea. Even in the dark zone of the ocean there is some light. ![]()
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