Fiordland’s Sea Pens

Scientists from NIWA and the Department of Conservation (DOC) have used a remote operated vehicle (ROV) equipped with cameras and a grappling arm to locate and sample specimens of sea pen previously unknown to science, hidden in the undiveable depths of remote Fiordland.

Two specimens of two different species, Funicularina sp. and Acanthoptilum sp., were collected. It's the first time Funicularina sp. - the sea pen shown in this video - has been seen in the area.

You can find out more about the discoveries in the accompanying press release.

Credit: NIWA