First Locally Led Deep Sea Expedition in Trinidad and Tobago Reveals 20 Suspected New Species

In July 2024, a pioneering deep-sea mission took place, marking the first such venture by local marine scientists from Trinidad and Tobago aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute's R/V Falkor (too). Over the course of a month, they discovered 25 cold-seep ecosystems and identified 20 potential new species, including unique corals, carnivorous sponges, and squat lobsters. They documented at least 54 previously unknown species in Trinidad and Tobago's waters, like ghost sharks and zombie worms, while mapping more than 4,300 square miles of uncharted seabed, which is around 13% of the country’s marine area. Notably, they confirmed a Graneledone octopus as a potential new species. The team, led by Dr. Diva Amon, also found human-made debris, highlighting environmental concerns.