Summation of all the submersible dives during the Islands in the Stream 2002 expedition. Click image for a larger view.
Islands in the Stream 2002:
Exploring Underwater Oases
Mission Summary
The Islands in the Stream 2002 expedition was designed to explore and investigate deep-water reefs, rocky outcrops, and hard-bottom areas at the edge of the continental shelf, as well as on the continental slope, off the southeast coast of the US. As with Islands in the Stream 2001, the overarching theme of the expedition was to conduct geological, biological, and ecological observations of these habitats, and to collect samples for further analysis as a means to better characterize these little known and poorly understood areas. Scientists from several organizations were brought together to accomplish this, each exploring discrete areas within the region and each focusing on a distinct and unique research question. The expedition used a variety of methods to collect information, including the Johnson-Sea-Link II 4-person submersible that completed a total of 48 dives during the 33 days at sea. The information gathered will complement the data collected in similar areas during Islands in the Stream 2001, and will be made available to other scientists and natural resource managers as they struggle to determine how to best manage human activities that may influence the health of the habitat and the species that depend upon it.
This Bank sea bass, a common reef fish that spawns on deep shelf-edge reefs, was caught during hook-and-line tagging of fish. Click image for a larger view.
Mission 1: July 27-August 5, 2002
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This mission focused on exploring the spawning locations and behavior of economically valuable reef fishes, such as snappers, groupers and porgies, whose populations are in decline. One strategy currently being debated to reverse this trend is to designate Marine Protected Areas in important spawning locations. The scientists leading this mission chose their submersible dive and shipboard sampling locations based on an assessment of historical data of suspected fish spawning locations. The primary objective was to locate and characterize these areas, as well as the oceanographic processes that affect them. It is hoped that this information will help better define the characteristics of critical spawning habitat and help establish strategies for protection.
An adult male hogfish. 
Click image to see a video.
Several exciting fish reproduction sightings were recorded during the submersible dives. At three sites, scamp grouper were seen in the gray-head courtship color phase, while a pair of hogfish also appeared to be in courtship display. A potential pre-spawning aggregation of at least 200 red snapper was seen, and gray triggerfish were observed possibly guarding nests consisting of hollowed out depressions in the sand. These behaviors, however, will need to be confirmed by additional study of videotapes.
Some of these reefs were visited by the same scientists, using the same submersible, 17 years ago. The dives conducted during this mission further characterized the amount of rocky habitat, and in contrast to the previous dives it was observed that the numbers of commercial or recreational important fish species were much lower, and in some cases some species were lacking.
The red lionfish, with its highly venomous spines, was sighted several times during dive operations. Click image to see a video.
Perhaps the most sensational discovery of the mission was the sighting of the red lionfish, Pterois volitans, an unmistakable marine fish with highly venomous spines that is native to western Pacific waters. These fish had been recently reported from Florida to North Carolina in shallow near-shore reef systems, but had never been observed or photo-documented in association with deeper reefs. Six lionfish were observed during three of the nine dives made along the shelf-edge reefs off South Carolina to depths of 193 ft. The frequent sighting of this invasive species suggests that it is rapidly becoming established in these reef areas. Eradication of this species from these depths will be impossible, and the impacts of its presence are unknown at this time.
This is a healthy branch of Lophelia coral sampled from the deep ocean reefs off the coast of South Carolina. Unlike tropical species of coral, Lophelia possesses no zooxanthellae (a symbiotic dinoflagellate) which often give their coralline hosts beautiful colors. Click image for a larger view.
Mission 2: August 5-15, 2002
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This mission explored two major types of unique and biologically productive habitats along the North Carolina coast, both of which have seen an increase in commercial and recreational fishing activities, as well as increasing interest for hydrocarbon exploration and development. Given that human activities are expanding into these areas, as well as the lack of knowledge concerning the habitats, species, and how they function, this research is critical. Furthermore, learning more about these deep water systems will help scientists and natural resource managers understand more about potential connections with shallower water systems.
During this mission, the science party was able to make much progress toward characterizing two deep-reef systems (>1000 ft) comprised almost entirely of Lophelia pertusa, a branching tree-like coral that forms expansive banks along the continental slope. Scientists were able to collect enough information on habitat, species and ecology, to determine that the invertebrate and fish communities were very different between the two systems, despite only being separated by 50 miles. Overall, the habitat in these areas appeared to be healthy, but very little is known about these areas so establishing a baseline for health is difficult.
This deep sea scallop shell was retrieved by the Johnson-Sea-Link II submersible during a dive at an area off the South Carolina coast called “The Steeples”. Even though the scallop within the shell has died, the shell itself provides a home for bryozoans, tunicates, serpulids, and algae which grow upon it. Click image for a larger view.
Scientists also explored some shallower reefs, comprised of rocky outcrops and a diverse community of corals, sponges, benthic organisms, and fish species. Observations made while transiting over extensive sand fields to target outcrops indicate that even small areas of outcrops provide habitat for numerous species. As with Mission 1, scientists observed numerous lionfish along these reefs, some at depths approaching 300 ft.
The mission to investigate these areas was a success on all counts. The data obtained – video tapes, audio tapes, specimens, water chemistry – will be assessed in conjunction with data collected from these areas over the past few years in an effort to develop a better understanding of their characteristics, status and health, and to assist with establishing potential Marine Protected Areas. In addition, the data will be used in continuing efforts to engage students and teachers.
This is a healthy branch of Lophelia coral sampled from the deep ocean reefs off the coast of South Carolina. Unlike tropical species of coral, Lophelia possesses no zooxanthellae (a symbiotic dinoflagellate) which often give their coralline hosts beautiful colors. Click image for a larger view.
