Nine new species of deep-sea sponges have been discovered off the coast of Alaska, providing further insight into the region's marine biodiversity. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) announced the findings on Thursday, stating the species were located in the Gulf of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands.
This discovery raises the total count of known sponge species in Alaska to 232. The specimens were gathered during Noaa Fisheries' annual bottom-trawl surveys, which are conducted to monitor groundfish and shellfish populations. Researchers analysed samples collected as far back as 2012 to describe the new species in two recent scientific papers.
Sponges are considered ecologically important as they filter seawater and create habitats on the seafloor, providing structure and refuge for commercially significant fish and crabs. Despite their importance, deep-sea sponge communities in Alaska are reportedly facing threats from proposals to expand deep-sea mining and from bottom trawling in the region.