The Brisingid starfish are a family of deep-sea dwelling echinoderms that can attain lengths of up to 1 meter, featuring 10-12 arms. A distinguishing characteristic of this family is their bioluminescence, the functional significance of which remains largely enigmatic. Researchers from UiB hypothesize that the Brisingids in Norway produce bioluminescent eggs to widen the spatial extent of their population. This luminescence potentially serves to attract fish, facilitating the ingestion and subsequent dispersal of the eggs through excretion. While collecting Brisingids at a depth of approximately 300 meters, researchers identified a potentially novel species of Brisingid starfish attached to the seawall. The specimen was delicately retrieved using the ROV and will undergo further taxonomic analysis onshore.

Additionally, submersible and ROV operations captured footage of lantern sharks, employing an optical lure designed to simulate the bioluminescent patterns exhibited by these elasmobranchs. The footage obtained during the dive will be subjected to detailed analysis and review by the shore-based research team.

Kelp forests provide extensive ecological services within their surrounding ecosystem, including food provision, habitat, and nutrient cycling. Notably, one of their most critical functions is carbon sequestration, achieved through the absorption of carbon dioxide and its subsequent deposition in sediment when kelp reaches the end of its life cycle. However, kelp forests are often overlooked in the conversation around climate change mitigation and blue carbon conversations. With the support of OceanX, researchers have collected comprehensive samples from designated kelp forests and have obtained striking footage to construct a visually compelling narrative that highlights the crucial role kelp forests play in our marine ecosystems and global climate.