Weird and wonderful new discoveries are continually being made in the unexplored depths of our oceans, but could disappear forever - before we even learn of their existence, warns one of the foremost marine biologists, the University of Plymouth's Jason Hall-Spencer.
Hall-Spencer will share his fascinating research into the dangers facing pristine habitats and new species discovered on seamounts as he presents at the American Association for the Advancement of Science Annual Meeting in San Diego this week.
For the very first time, through the Census of Marine Life, researchers are assembling a comprehensive picture of what lives in the ocean. The amazing findings of this international project will be unveiled at the world's forefront scientific conference which this year follows the theme, 'Bridging Science and Society'.
As part of the group's symposium, Hall Spencer will explain how 98% of all known marine species live on the sea floor, yet we have mapped so little of the ocean that amazing discoveries are constantly being made as he says; "Less than 1 per cent of the estimated 50,000 seamounts have ever been surveyed and our research visits have revealed pristine coral reefs and many species that are brand new to science.
"However, over the past five years, these surveys have also worryingly revealed that all over the world, deep sea habitats are suffering severe impacts from bottom trawling down to depths of 1000 metres and more."
Jason's findings on the reef damage caused by bottom trawling, which include stripped boulders and smashed corals of over 4500 years old, have succeeded in influencing public policy with new UN and FAO recommendations now being implemented as a direct result. The research has also seen four areas so far designated as Marine Protected Areas and closed completely to bottom trawling.
Jason's presentation will also describe the first ever submersible dives on the world's largest (40km long) cold water reef of the Arctic waters off Norway and discuss the alarming fact that just as we have discovered these reefs, they are threatened by the corrosive effects of ocean acidification.
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