A small orange seahorse is among three new fish species discovered by New Zealand scientists in a survey of the Kermadec Islands.The survey, which incorporated marine mammal sampling as well as diving and offshore sampling, is the first of its kind and was conducted over 19 days on NIWA's research vessel, Tangaroa.
Seven organisations including NIWA, Auckland Museum, and Te Papa collaborated on the survey, which was conducted between October and November last year.
The objective of the survey was to improve the knowledge of the area for the 620,000 square kilometre marine sanctuary the government has proposed creating.
In total, 88 coastal and 166 offshore invertebrate species were provisionally identified, and 236 fish species.
However, many could not be properly identified onboard and that would be done over the next year.
Head of Natural Sciences at the Auckland Museum Tom Trnski, who was one of the co-leaders of the survey, said there were a number of fish that did not match known species.
At the moment they knew at least three of the species were new.-read more
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