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Wildlife and Wonder During a Milestone Dive for ROV Hercules

For the past 15 years, the Ocean Exploration Trust has explored the seafloor and shared discoveries live with the world. ROV Hercules has led our deep sea exploration, and this highlight video celebrates its 1000th dive from E/V Nautilus (which was preceded by many more prior to Nautilus)! Check out some of the awesome seafloor sightings from this celebratory dive that took place on August 24, 2023 about 10 nm east of Johnston Atoll during our NA153 expedition. 

Witness a catshark and an adorable (likely) juvenile Chaunacops anglerfish as they meander in front of the vehicle's main camera. Watch an undulating Holothurian sea cucumber cause control room giggles and see a (tentatively IDed) Chiroteuthis sp. squid move above the seafloor. OET is proud to have celebrated this milestone while diving in these proposed marine sanctuary waters in and around the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument. 

Learn more about this expedition funded by NOAA Ocean Exploration via the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute.