Highlights: 01:31:12 Antipatharian corals & sea fans 01:35:39 Antipatharian coral - Bathypathes & fish - Neocyttus helgae 01:39:58 Crinoid - Koehlermetra porrecta & Madrepora 01:51:14 Brittlestar, basket star - Gorgonocephalus sp. 01:58:30 Antipatharian coral - Bathypathes & other black corals

This area is at the southernmost end of the Northwest Porcupine Bank SAC. The canyon floor is comprised of coarse and rippled sand with some individual boulders. The side of the canyon is very steep in parts, forming cliffs and distinct overhangs (cliffs and boulders) particularly towards the upper parts of the canyon. The top of the canyon is characterised by soft sediment with the occasional rock outcrop. In the deeper parts of the canyon grenadiers, northern cut-throat (Synaphobranchus kaupii) and Lepidion eques are present and the bamboo coral Acanella arbuscula occurs sporadically. Moving up the slope sponges, including Phakellia sp., Aphrocallistes sp. and encrusting forms, corals such as Drifa sp., Lepidisis sp. and gorgonians occur. Lepidion eques, rays and sharks were also recorded. On steeper slopes the fauna includes anemones, brisingids, the occasional Acanella sp., Stichopathes sp., zoanthids and Chimaera sp.. The stony coral Lophelia pertusa occurs further up the canyon flanks with Lepidisis sp., Acanthogorgia sp., glass sponges and thorny black corals. A variety of black corals including Leiopathes sp., Stichopathes sp., bamboo corals and clumps of L. pertusa occur in areas of the steep slope with Chirostylus sp. regularly found in association with the Leiopathes sp. Crinoids are common while the soft coral Anthomastus sp. is occasionally present. On the hard steep inclines with overhangs oreos and Lepidion eques are common as are L. pertusa and crinoids. Madrepora oculata is first recorded further up the slope. Here coral rubble is more prevalent and amongst it glass sponges, crinoids, Stichopathes sp. and cerianthids occur. Towards the top of the canyon slope rocks are colonised by the bamboo Bathypathes sp. and Parantipathes sp. are present along with numerous crinoids. The echinoid, cf. Calveriosoma fenestratum is first recorded among clumps of M. oculata. At the top of the canyon reef areas appear as diverse as on the canyon slope, clumps of L. pertusa are present and rock outcrops are colonised by glass sponges, Leiopathes sp., Parantipathes sp., and Gorgonocephalus sp. The blackbelly rosefish was observed while echiurans are seen on the soft sediment away from the canyon.

START VIDEO [1] [00:00:00]/[11:14:00] The dive starts at the base of a canyon on a gentle upslope, over coarse sandy substrate (infrequent benthos) with occasional barnacle covered boulders. [2] [00:08:00] The sand becomes rippled, sometimes forming ridges. Fauna sparse comprising cerianthid anemones, asteroids, and holothurians. One area with several Polymastia cf. penicillus protruding from sand. [3] [00:31:00] Similar flat sand and occasional barnacles, a couple of Acanella arbuscula. [4] [00:50:00] Sand now gravelly, more encounters with Acanella arbuscula, some areas with dense possible Annelida tubes (unclear view). Slope becomes steeper. [5] [01:05:00] A steeper section of slope gives rise to bedrock protrusions hosting many sponges, mainly Phakellia ventilabrum. [6] [01:07:00] Return to shallower slope gravelly sand with sparse A. arbuscula. [7] [01:15:00] Slope becomes steeper again, sediment coarser and boulders/bedrock protrusions often host Madrepora oculata along with encrusting organisms. [8] [01:20:00] Steep slope with almost vertical bedrock, Stichopathes cf. gravieri dominates with other occasional corals and encrusting fauna. Large areas with sand veneer. [9] [01:23:00] Rich coral garden community on exposed bedrock mixed with biogenic predominantly dead Lophelia pertusa coral framework with sand veneer on a steep slope. Dominant fauna include black corals (especially S. cf. gravieri), crinoids (Koehlermetra porrecta), and Madrepora oculata. [10] [01:50:00] Transect crosses small escarpment (overhanging bedrock) reaching a flat summit of bedrock with patchy sand veneer and boulders. Continued coral garden community. [01:54:00] Terrain remains relatively flat, thicker sand veneer with cobbles and boulders continuing the coral garden community. [11] [02:01:00] Transect ends on sand with occasional cerianthid anemones and echiurans (Bonellia viridis). END VIDEO.

There are many Synaphobranchus kaupii eels and small dark fish (Actinopterygii sp 3. [00:50:28]) throughout. 3 juvenile ([00:35:40],[00:36:05],[00:52:55]) and 1 adult ([01:02:45]) Galeus melastomus sharks were encountered on this dive. It is unusual to see the juveniles. Several encounters with Orange Roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus [00:54:00]) which is a listed species.