DeepSee, Cocos Island and Las Gemelas Seamounts
In September 2009, scientists from the US National Geographic Society, University of Costa Rica, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Ocean Research & Conservation Association and California Sea Grant conducted an exploration of the deep waters (down to 400m) off the coast of Costa Rica. During this expedition, the Undersea Hunter’s DeepSee submersible was used to conduct quantitative surveys off of Cocos Island and Las Gemelas seamounts. The objectives of the cruise were to gather information about demersal fishes and macroinvertebrates, evaluate zonation of these organisms, conduct observational surveys of macroplankton and collect images of habitats and species to inform governmental decisions regarding marine protection.