Meanwhile, factory trawlers drag nets across the canyon walls, uprooting fragile corals and sponges that provide habitat for a host of other species. Some of these slow-growing corals can be hundreds or even thousands of years old. And while the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) acknowledges that the canyons are diverse and rare habitats, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council announced in December, 2006 that not enough was known about these areas to justify their protection.

Unfortunately, this approach - turning the precautionary principle on its head and putting the burden of proof on conservationists rather than factory fishing operations - is all too common in an industry largely managed by itself.

Our Expedition

In collaboration with an exemplary team of renown deep ocean research scientists, we will use one-person submarines conduct the first manned exploration of Zhemchug (the world's largest submarine canyon) and Pribilof Canyons.

The submersibles will enable us to survey down to 2000 feet. From there, an ROV, or Remote Operated Vehicle, will be used to cover down an additional 1000 feet or more - encompassing the full operating depth of most trawlers.

As most of what is known about the canyons comes from bycatch information collected by fisheries observers, it is impossible to say what we will find. But the canyons are known to be teeming with life, foraging areas for fur seals, endangered sea lions, whales, and seabirds like the endangered short-tailed albatross.  This research will be precedent setting work for a variety of reasons. For one, it will be the first in situ exploration of Zhemchug Canyon. There have been limited unmanned surveys but this is first manned submersible habitat research effort. A key aspect of this research will be documenting the presence and locations of deep-sea corals and sponges.

Under the new provisions in the reauthorized Magnuson Stevens Fishery Management Act, policy makers will be compelled to protect areas that are demonstrated to be coral habitats. It is our hope that the data we obtain on this expedition will lead to new protections for these spectacular places as well as deepening our understanding of the canyons' role in the Bering Sea ecosystem.