The Mingulay coral reef complex lies off the west of Scotland in
about150 metres of water and, despite the fact that it may have
existed forthousands of years, scientists know little about it or
the wildlife itsupports.
Using remotely operated vehicles - essentially small,
unmannedsubmarines - scientists onboard the Greenpeace ship
Esperanza willstudy, sample and document the reef and the numerous
species it isthought to host.
An onboard aquarium will allow scientists to closely examine
small samples taken from the ocean floor.
During the expedition, which sets off from Greenock, near
Glasgow,today (12 May), scientists will also be looking for any
evidence ofdamage to the reef, including any that may have been
caused by fishingnets dragged across the ocean floor.
Although the extent of any damage to the Mingulay reef is
currentlyunknown, coral habitats around the world face many
threats,particularly from destructive fishing practices such as
bottom trawling.
Greenpeace scientist David Santillo said: "Parts of the Mingulay
reefcomplex could be as much as ten thousand years old, yet, like
so manymarine habitats worldwide, we know virtually nothing about
it or itsimportance to marine life.
"Greenpeace is currently campaigning for a UN moratorium on high
seasbottom trawling which would allow the time for this kind of
research tobe carried out around the world, so that informed
decisions can be madeabout how to protect these fragile footholds
for ocean wildlife."
SAMS scientist Dr Murray Roberts said: "We have been interested
in thisarea since the late 1990s but we only mapped out the reefs
off Mingulaytwo years ago. We are very excited to have the chance
to explore thesecomplex habitats using a robotic submarine. We hope
the information wegather will keep us busy for months to come."
Also onboard the Esperanza will be Dr John Wilson, a marine
scientist who was first to dive on the reef almost 30 years
ago.
In the last few years a research initiative led by SAMS has
begunmapping the reef. This joint expedition is a key contribution
tofurther scientific knowledge of one of the UK's most
significant,though barely studied, natural marine features.
Other contacts: David Santillo and Murray Roberts onboard the Esperanza via satellite phone on +871 324 469 010Niall Bennett, Greenpeace press office on +44 20 7865 8255 SAMS press office on +44 1631 559300 or +44 1631 750233
Notes: Last year, over 1,000 of the world's most prominent scientists called for a moratorium on bottom trawling on the high seas in order to protect coral reefs and marine wildlife.The Scottish Association for Marine ScienceSince its foundation in 1884 SAMS has been committed to promoting, delivering and supporting high-quality independent research and education in marine science, particularly on issues relevant to Scotland. As a Learned Society SAMS has about 600 members and employs 120 staff. Its research portfolio includes aspects of marine biology, chemistry, physics, geology and engineering. SAMS is a Collaborative Centre of the Natural Environment Research Council and an Academic Partner in UHI Millennium Institute under whose auspices SAMS delivers the BSc (Hons) Marine Science, and trains around 25 postgraduate research students.