Stop for a moment and think about that feeling of wonder we get when we turn on the light in the living room and see something moving where it shouldn’t be. Now transfer that to a floating laboratory in the middle of the Caribbean. That was the reaction of the crew when, on 23 August 2023, their camera descended to 1,054 metres and a dark silhouette appeared.
It wasn’t a distracted diver or a giant squid: it was the roughskin shark, Centroscymnus owstonii. The discovery took place off Little Cayman in the Cayman Islands and marks the first time this species has been documented in the central Caribbean. With such an impressive introduction, you can understand why even the most seasoned scientists were left speechless.
What exactly did the scientists see at a depth of more than 1,000 metres?
Until now, the roughskin shark had only appeared in scattered notes of accidental catches.
But on this expedition (led by Olivia Dixon and the organisation Beneath The Waves), the species allowed itself to be filmed in detail thanks to a remote underwater video baiting system (dBRUVS, for short; basically, a camera with a digital hook that is lowered to the bottom with a ‘snack’ to attract wildlife).
The images were then analysed frame by frame and confirmed several specimens in perfect condition, leisurely prowling a world where sunlight never even considers entering.
Before continuing, let’s review the hard data from the dive:
- Exact depth: 1,054 metres.
- Date of descent: 23 August 2023.
- Precise location: waters off Little Cayman (Cayman Islands).
- Equipment used: dBRUVS system with standardised bait.
- Species identified: roughskin shark (Centroscymnus owstonii).
The fact that the camera returned intact was already a small victory; that it also brought back this footage was a real goal in the 90th minute.
Why does this finding matter for science and conservation?
Firstly, the depth visited belongs to the so-called ‘deep ocean’, that forgotten neighbourhood where mystery still reigns. Each record like this expands the distribution map of the roughskin shark and helps define which areas should be considered priorities for protection.
That’s why the study, published in the Journal of Fish Biology, highlights the effectiveness of remote video: it allows species to be observed without the need to capture them, thus avoiding damage to an ecosystem that has enough to contend with without our curiosity.
Simple steps to support deep ocean research
Okay, not all of us have a dBRUVS in the shed, but there are everyday gestures that make a difference. First, get informed and share findings like this: the more people know that the roughskin shark lives a kilometre deep, the greater the pressure to protect its habitat.
Also, support (even with micro-donations of £1) organisations such as Beneath The Waves, which are dedicated to non-profit science. Next, choose certified seafood products and avoid those without traceability; your shopping basket is more powerful than you think. Finally, if you travel to coastal areas, join beach clean-up days: the rubbish we remove from the surface is one less trap that ends up rolling to the bottom. So, without a diving suit or impossible permits, you too can be part of the exploration of the deep ocean.
