In August 2023, researchers will explore the unknown depths off the coast Cayman Islands used a custom-built underwater camera system called a dBRUV (Deep baited remote controlled underwater video). The device, designed specifically to study deep-sea biodiversity, featured a bait cage filled with sardines suspended in front of a camera that could record at extreme depths.

The result? Almost 11 minutes of footage show the fugitive Rough-skinned dogfish (Centroscymnus owstonii). Scientists described their first glimpse of the shark as “a shadow swimming just behind the detection window (of the camera).” Moments later, the predator approached the bait, providing an unprecedented opportunity to observe the species in its natural habitat.

Discover the underwater secrets of the Caribbean

The Rough-skinned dogfish Sightings are more than scientific news; they represent a historically first. According to the study published on November 28, 2023 in the Journal of Fish Biologythat’s that the first ever recorded footage of its kind in the Cayman Islands and the surrounding central Caribbean. So far, encounters with the species have been limited to:

• Dead specimens recovered as bycatch in fisheries.
• Sharks accidentally caught in deep-sea trawling or shrimp fisheries.

The team emphasized the groundbreaking nature of their findings, calling them proof of the value of non-invasive survey methods for deep sea research.

High-tech tools reveal the invisible

The dBRUV system was crucial to achieving this milestone. The camera system was designed to operate at depths of 3,500 feet (1.07 kilometers) and remained underwater for hours to silently observe the underwater world. Key highlights of the footage include:

• A total of 54 shark passages were recorded during the survey, with multiple sharks likely present.
• Clear documentation of the predator’s behavior around the bait, providing new insights into its feeding habits.

“This is a prime example of how advanced technologies are changing our understanding of life in the deep sea“, emphasized the researchers in their report.

Why this matters: The fight to preserve biodiversity

Marine ecosystems are among the most fragile in the world. The roughskin shark, with its cryptic behavior and preference for inaccessible depths, highlights the challenges of protecting species we barely know. Conservationists argue that such discoveries are crucial to:

• Identification of critical habitats and migration patterns.
• Develop strategies to mitigate the impacts of deep-sea fishing, which often disrupts these ecosystems.

The Cayman Islands, a British overseas territory south of Cuba and northwest of Jamaica, serve as an important location for biodiversity studies. Efforts like these provide invaluable insight into the hidden wealth of its marine environment.

Researchers leading the charge

This groundbreaking work was made possible by a multidisciplinary team of scientists including Olivia Dixon, Shannon Aldridge, Johanna Kohler, Anne Veeder, Paul Chin, Teresa Fernandes, Timothy Austin, Rupert Ormond, Mauvis Gore, Diego Vaz and Austin Gallagher. Their specialist knowledge and use of innovative technologies set new standards for deep-sea research.

The discovery of the rough-skinned dogfish is a clear indicator of this untapped potential of non-invasive research tools. Unlike traditional methods like fishing and trawling, which often harm marine life, video-based systems like dBRUV allow researchers to study species with minimal ecological disruption.

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