🐠 CCMI expedition uncovers biodiversity secrets of 12-Mile Bank reefs

The Central Caribbean Marine Institute's (CCMI) Expedition Hope has unveiled a wealth of data detailing the benthos and biodiversity of the previously uncharted 12-Mile Bank seamount. The expedition, funded by a grant from the UK Government's Darwin Plus Programme, was conducted in collaboration with the Department of Environment, the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. The team carried out extensive dives up to 50 meters, documenting their findings in a series of videos now available on CCMI's YouTube channel. 🌊

The research expedition exceeded its initial goals, completing double the number of proposed fish surveys and 20% more benthic photo-mosaics. The team also collected samples for eDNA and genetic connectivity assessments and created a bathymetric map of 12-Mile Bank. The seamounts, classified as Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems, are believed to host a rich biodiversity with minimal human impact due to their remote location. Initial findings suggest that the 12-Mile Bank seamount supports productive environments with high levels of coral and large numbers of fish. 🐟

The data collected by CCMI will provide valuable insights into these cryptic habitats, including estimates of biodiversity at the population scale and environmental information on the forces that drive marine habitats and organisms. The findings will be incorporated into the Cayman Islands' Government Biodiversity Action Plan and will inform future marine spatial planning legislation. The research highlights the importance of understanding these ecosystems to ensure their protection and conservation for future generations. 🐠