Last year the BBC filmed a documentary called Pacific Abyss, where a number of renowned divers dived the waters around Micronesia. They were based on Big Blue Explorer, which I was fortunate enough to dive from a few years ago in Palau. They were primarily diving in the 60 – 150 metre depth range using rebreathers, and in doing so they managed to find 13 new fish species. There are an additional 15 creatures that may also be new to science, but these need further study to confirm.
This photo from the BBC shows a bright blue damselfish which has been named Chromis abyssus in honour of the expedition. Richard Pyle was one of the divers on the expedition and he had actually seen one of these damselfish over 10 years earlier, but this was the first time that specimens had been collected.
More information is available from the BBC, which is showing the 3 part series from 17th August. The photography and filming is spectacular.
