Fantastic cold – water corals and where to find them
The continental slope off the Norwegian coast have some of the most extensive cold-water coral reefs in the world. Offshore waters also intrude into the numerous deep fjords that incise the Norwegian coast, providing ideal conditions for deep-water species to colonise their steep rocky walls. Cold-water coral ecosystems are valuable, vulnerable and notoriously difficult to study. Their habitat is deep, with high currents making it challenging to navigate ROV and AUV, and sometimes dangerous due to entangled fishing lines and nets. During autumn 2022 we are mapping three marine protected areas in the Trondheimfjord to position cold-water corals. The main part of the corals are located on vertical walls where more traditional mapping methodology comes short. In our investigations we try to understand and implement the best and most (cost) efficient ways to do this, but are we succeeding? How can we best study these areas and what methods should be used? We invite to discussion!