Continued favorable weather and few mechanical problems means
that the team aboard Esperanza has been able to complete 14
manned submersible dives at Pribilof Canyon. On Saturday (August
4), Esperanza arrived at Zhemchug Canyon to explore this, the
largest undersea canyon in the world, much larger than the Grand
Canyon. Within the first few minutes of the deepest ROV dive
yet, more than 3,000 feet down, the team discovered corals,
including pink “bubblegum” corals along with other soft corals.
Earlier, during the final dives at Pribilof Canyon, the team
documented numerous corals, but also evidence of extensive
trawling damage in the area. The Esperanza is carrying two
manned submersibles, a remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) and an
international research team to the Bering Sea for a three week
survey of Zhemchug and Pribilof Canyons,to map and document
deepwater corals living at depths of more than 1,000 feet. The
expedition was conceived of and is being led by Greenpeace.