Off the coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery while exploring an ancient underwater volcano. This volcano, previously believed to be extinct, is surprisingly still active. What’s more, it is home to thousands of giant eggs from a little-known species of skate, the Pacific white skate (Bathyraja spinosissima).
Scientists from Fisheries and Oceans Canada have been investigating this 770-square-mile seamount since 2019, revealing that warm mineral-rich water is still being released by the volcano. This unique environment has provided a habitat for various marine creatures, including corals, to flourish in the deep sea. Recently, the team was astonished to find Pacific white skates laying their unusually large eggs at the summit of the seamount, almost a mile below the ocean’s surface.
The Pacific white skate is a species typically found in the cold waters of the Pacific Ocean, residing at depths ranging from 2,600 to 9,500 feet. Due to their habitat preferences, they have remained largely unknown to researchers. These skates can grow up to 6.5 feet long, with adult females producing eggs that are about 20 inches in diameter. The researchers speculate that there could be several hundred thousand to over a million eggs at the summit of the volcano, a phenomenon never seen before.
Further observations have indicated that the warm water surrounding the seamount may speed up the development of the skate embryos, providing the juveniles with a better chance of survival. Biologist Cherisse Du Preez explains that the shallow summit of the seamount serves as a safe environment for the young skates to grow before descending into deeper waters. The eggs themselves are described as round or oval in shape, with rounded edges similar to ravioli or small cushions.
This discovery not only confirms the ongoing volcanic activity off the Pacific coast of Canada but also sheds light on the remarkable adaptability of Pacific white skates to extreme deep-sea conditions. The size and quantity of the skate eggs demonstrate the species’ unique strategy for ensuring the survival of their offspring. This finding underscores the significance of deep-sea exploration in understanding marine ecosystems and the adaptations of species within them.
The researchers’ in-depth investigation of this underwater volcano has not only unveiled the volcano’s active status but has also highlighted the complex interactions between underwater geology and biodiversity. The implications of this discovery may lead to new avenues for biological and ecological research, offering insight into protecting delicate underwater habitats from global environmental challenges. The exploration of such extreme environments continues to provide invaluable knowledge about the diverse ecosystems that thrive beneath the ocean’s surface, urging for further scientific exploration and conservation efforts.