Anchor and chain damage to seafloor habitats in Antarctica: first observations
The number of ships visiting Antarctic waters is increasing. However, the ecological consequences of this increase to Antarctic marine ecosystems remain unclear, including impacts to the seafloor. Benthic and mesopelagic exploratory surveys were conducted in Antarctica in 2022–2023 using deep-sea ca...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Conservation Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcosc.2025.1500652/full |
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| author | Matthew Mulrennan Myrah Graham Jennifer Herbig Sally J. Watson Sally J. Watson |
| author_facet | Matthew Mulrennan Myrah Graham Jennifer Herbig Sally J. Watson Sally J. Watson |
| author_sort | Matthew Mulrennan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The number of ships visiting Antarctic waters is increasing. However, the ecological consequences of this increase to Antarctic marine ecosystems remain unclear, including impacts to the seafloor. Benthic and mesopelagic exploratory surveys were conducted in Antarctica in 2022–2023 using deep-sea cameras tethered to a tourism vessel during routine tourism operations. The study area encompassed the Antarctic Peninsula, Weddell Sea, South Shetland Islands, Marguerite Bay, and South Georgia Island. A total of 36 surveys were completed resulting in 62 hours of 4K underwater video footage taken while at anchor or drifting. At Yankee Harbour, the researchers documented anchor and chain damage to sponge colonies, with clear scour marks delineating the disrupted substrate from undisturbed seafloor supporting marine life. Also observed was deposited mud, likely resulting from anchor or chain retrieval. This study presents the first published observation of anchor damage in Antarctica. Despite the observed damage, the Yankee Harbour survey also revealed rich biodiversity in proximity to the impacted areas. Most notably, three large (1–2 meters in height) giant volcano sponges (Anoxycalyx joubini) were observed. This paper shows observations of anchor and chain damage to vulnerable Antarctic seafloor marine life, discusses the potential ecological impacts of anchoring in polar habitats, and provides recommendations to better understand and mitigate further harm. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-68a5c4f2f89d41cbbe0a3dee0800aaf4 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2673-611X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Conservation Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-68a5c4f2f89d41cbbe0a3dee0800aaf42025-08-20T02:31:13ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Conservation Science2673-611X2025-06-01610.3389/fcosc.2025.15006521500652Anchor and chain damage to seafloor habitats in Antarctica: first observationsMatthew Mulrennan0Myrah Graham1Jennifer Herbig2Sally J. Watson3Sally J. Watson4Kolossal, Los Angeles, CA, United StatesSchool of Ocean Technology, Fisheries and Marine Institute, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John’s, NL, CanadaCentre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research, Fisheries and Marine Institute, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John’s, NL, CanadaOcean Centre, National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Wellington, New ZealandInstitute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New ZealandThe number of ships visiting Antarctic waters is increasing. However, the ecological consequences of this increase to Antarctic marine ecosystems remain unclear, including impacts to the seafloor. Benthic and mesopelagic exploratory surveys were conducted in Antarctica in 2022–2023 using deep-sea cameras tethered to a tourism vessel during routine tourism operations. The study area encompassed the Antarctic Peninsula, Weddell Sea, South Shetland Islands, Marguerite Bay, and South Georgia Island. A total of 36 surveys were completed resulting in 62 hours of 4K underwater video footage taken while at anchor or drifting. At Yankee Harbour, the researchers documented anchor and chain damage to sponge colonies, with clear scour marks delineating the disrupted substrate from undisturbed seafloor supporting marine life. Also observed was deposited mud, likely resulting from anchor or chain retrieval. This study presents the first published observation of anchor damage in Antarctica. Despite the observed damage, the Yankee Harbour survey also revealed rich biodiversity in proximity to the impacted areas. Most notably, three large (1–2 meters in height) giant volcano sponges (Anoxycalyx joubini) were observed. This paper shows observations of anchor and chain damage to vulnerable Antarctic seafloor marine life, discusses the potential ecological impacts of anchoring in polar habitats, and provides recommendations to better understand and mitigate further harm.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcosc.2025.1500652/fullanchor damageantarcticaseafloorbiodiversityspongessolutions |
| spellingShingle | Matthew Mulrennan Myrah Graham Jennifer Herbig Sally J. Watson Sally J. Watson Anchor and chain damage to seafloor habitats in Antarctica: first observations Frontiers in Conservation Science anchor damage antarctica seafloor biodiversity sponges solutions |
| title | Anchor and chain damage to seafloor habitats in Antarctica: first observations |
| title_full | Anchor and chain damage to seafloor habitats in Antarctica: first observations |
| title_fullStr | Anchor and chain damage to seafloor habitats in Antarctica: first observations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Anchor and chain damage to seafloor habitats in Antarctica: first observations |
| title_short | Anchor and chain damage to seafloor habitats in Antarctica: first observations |
| title_sort | anchor and chain damage to seafloor habitats in antarctica first observations |
| topic | anchor damage antarctica seafloor biodiversity sponges solutions |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcosc.2025.1500652/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT matthewmulrennan anchorandchaindamagetoseafloorhabitatsinantarcticafirstobservations AT myrahgraham anchorandchaindamagetoseafloorhabitatsinantarcticafirstobservations AT jenniferherbig anchorandchaindamagetoseafloorhabitatsinantarcticafirstobservations AT sallyjwatson anchorandchaindamagetoseafloorhabitatsinantarcticafirstobservations AT sallyjwatson anchorandchaindamagetoseafloorhabitatsinantarcticafirstobservations |