A recently completed exploration of deep coral reef in the Hawaiian Archipelago revealed a wealth of unique species living far below the water’s surface.

A recently completed exploration of Hawaii’s deep coral reef revealed a wealth of unique species living far below the water’s surface. 

Researchers supported by NOAA sent cameras, sensors, ROVs, and submersibles as deep as 500 feet and into the underwater area known among many as the ocean’s ‘twilight zone.’ 

Though the light was dim and the colors less vibrant than the reef’s closer-to-the-surface counterpart, the discoveries were astonishing. 

Overall, 43% of the fish found were exclusive to the region, compared to the 17% rate of distinct sorts that exist in the shallow reef areas. 

When focusing solely on greater depths of the northwestern portion off the Hawaiian Islands, that rate jumped close to 100%. 

Said one of the study’s co-authors, “The extent of fish endemism on these deep coral reefs… is astonishing. We were able to document the highest rates of endemism of any marine environment on Earth.”