These are the outlines of the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument
we will be diving on the Eastern side of Retriever Seamount
Our bottom depth is 2,650 meters, this will be our deepest benthic dive during this expedition.
There are some really cool organisms here today.
This is what I would describe as a sponge-a-palooza!
The diversity that we're seeing in the types of sponges here is just phenomenal.
From demosponges to glass sponges and a lot of Euplectellid sponges
Soft sponges, Euretid sponges, encrusting demosponges, Rossellid vase sponges, Rossellid barrel sponges
I'm just going to keep saying sponges!
There's a bit from Forrest Gump that comes to mind.
I'm loving my sponges.