DEEP SEA Elasmobranchs

The deep-sea is defined as the part of the ocean below 200 meters ( 656 feet)  depth. This is where light begins to dwindle. Deep-water ecosystems are unlike any other habitat on the planet.

 Despite being the most extensive habitat on our planet, we know very little about this mysterious world. Surprisingly, even with the challenges of darkness, cold temperatures and increased pressure, life is able to thrive at these depths and biodiversity is higher than once believed. 

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References

Paulus E (2021) Shedding Light on Deep-Sea Biodiversity- A Highly Vulnerable Habitat in the Face of Anthropogenic Change. Front. Mar. Sci. 8:667048. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2021.667048.

SIMPFENDORFER, C., & KYNE, P. (2009). Limited potential to recover from overfishing raises concerns for deep-sea sharks, rays and chimaeras. Environmental Conservation, 36(2), 97-103. doi:10.1017/S0376892909990191.

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NOAA Ocean Exploration https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/facts/deep-ocean.html

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