Deep sea surveys in the Pacific have detected more than 5,000 new species in a future mining hotspot . The surveys took place in a massive area of deep ocean called the Clarion-Clipperton Zone ( CCZ ), which has already been divided up and assigned to companies for future deep-sea mining . To better understand what may be at risk once companies start mining , a team of biologists has built the first ‘ CCZ checklist ’ by compiling all the species records from previous research expeditions to the region . Their estimates of the species diversity of the CCZ , publishing in the journal Current Biology on May 25 , included a total of 5,578 different species found in the region , an estimated 88-92 % of which are entirely new to science .

“ We share this planet with all this amazing biodiversity , and we have a responsibility to understand it and protect it ,” said Muriel Rabone , a deep-sea ecologist at London ’ s Natural History Museum .

PHOTO : SMARTEX PROJECT / NERC

like to think that divers have a special affection for sharks and rays – they ’ re a highlight of many a dive and they hold a fascination for most of us that go underwater . So , while BSAC has been growing and flourishing over the past 70 years , what ’ s been happening for sharks ?

Well , there were certainly more of them around 70 years ago . And we definitely knew a lot less about them . The boom in shark fisheries , the ‘ awareness ’ of sharks ( or at least one type of shark ) driven by film and media and the gradual development of a shark science and conservation community have all led us to where we now stand . We ’ ve depleted populations of many shark species , some critically . Three species are thought to have disappeared forever . We continue to take sharks out of the sea at an alarming rate , far quicker than they can replenish their numbers through their leisurely reproduction . One-third of 1200 species are considered threatened . It ’ s a grim picture . None of this is news to most of us .

Still , it ’ s definitely not hopeless . A small army of researchers , conservationists and advocates has

emerged , increasing in number and activity over the last 30 years or so . Many of these , including myself , will have started on that path through snorkelling and diving . The experience opens your eyes to this hidden world and , for some , changes you forever .

Thanks to the efforts , knowledge and passion of this group , we now have international and national plans of action for sharks . We have over 100 species listed on CITES , restricting trade and driving fisheries towards sustainable practice . We have catch limits , sanctuaries , finning bans and species recovery plans . We have shark festivals , shark ecotourism , shark video and TV content coming out of our ears . We know sharks way better than we ever have . And we know now what needs to be done to protect them . To ensure that the next 70 years isn ’ t like the last .

So , thank you diving , thank you BSAC , for all that you ’ ve done to help us understand , protect and love sharks . Keep training up and inspiring the next generation , so that we have a limitless supply of shark advocates to carry on the good work . www . sharktrust . org

Silvertip sharks , a beautiful species vulnerable to longline fishing

was prompted by damage to the Klein Hollandia , a 17th Century Dutch warship off the East Sussex coast . Mark Harrison , head of heritage crime strategy at Historic England , said : “ This will act as a clear deterrent to those looking to unlawfully lift and remove historic material from protected wreck sites . If someone breaks the law and removes any property , the new markings will act as a clear deterrent to link the offender to the crime scene and implement criminal proceedings .”

PHOTO : SIMON ROGERSON

47