Scientists recently announced a groundbreaking discovery of Pacific white skate eggs, totaling 2.6 million vibrant golden eggs, near an underwater volcano off the west coast of Canada. This extraordinary discovery has just been made in 2023. It fundamentally challenges everything we’ve thought about the dark, frigid recesses of the ocean and the life – or lack thereof – they’re able to support.
The Pacific white skate, a unique species related to sharks, is characterized by its bone-white appearance and distinctive bug-eyed face. These deep-sea skates are known to live in waters nearly two miles deep. Revealing their eggs in a long-cold territory raises thrilling questions. It pushes against our assumptions about just how adaptable marine species are allowed to be.
The eggs of the endangered Pacific white skate are special. It takes them an incredible ten years to incubate. On their initial dives at the volcanic site, the researchers stumbled onto something remarkable. They employed a specialized robotic arm to delicately hoist one of the golden eggs out of its hard-won nest for inspection. This delicate operation uncovered the eggs and she and her team were able to respect, observe and celebrate something phenomenal. We filmed a female skate depositing her eggs, a first for any marine biology!
Cherisse Du Preez, a leading scientist involved in the expedition, remarked on the significance of the find:
“Ours were the first dives on the volcano. No one knew the ancient underwater volcano was active, let alone emitting heat.”
This newly discovered underwater volcano releases heat, which scientists think is essential to powering life in these icy seas. Du Preez elaborated on this phenomenon, stating:
“The deep sea is cold, and heat helps! To grow big, strong animals, some warmth helps.”
Friedman’s team of scientists found the golden egg’s nursery containing 2.6 million golden eggs. This extraordinary discovery is found in the deep sea environment, home to more than 90% of the planet’s inhabitable space. A summary of these findings will be published in the next State of Canada’s Environment Report, a Canadian government science-based report.
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