A glimpse of hope for deep‑sea life off the East African coast

A science mission off the Comoros island coasts has found rich deep‑sea biodiversity – a timely discovery as world leaders meet at COP 30 in Brazil, reported Africanews on 17 November.

An international research expedition in the Indian Ocean has uncovered encouraging signs of marine life in the deep waters off the Comoros islands suggesting hope for biodiversity amid growing climate and environmental pressures.

On board the vessel Angra Pequena, scientists deployed baited deep sea cameras at depths between 300 and 900 metres, capturing footage of several shark species. These apex predators indicate a functioning food chain, even in such remote and rarely explored zones.

The expedition’s leaders say the findings could help establish protected marine zones, contributing to a global goal of safeguarding 30 percent of the ocean by 2030.

“This expedition is crucial for the 30×30 objective because it allows us to explore areas we don’t yet know,” said Dr Nadjim Ahmed Mohamed, co‑chief scientist of the mission. “And based on the findings of this expedition, we can establish protected zones. This means that, globally, we will be able to meet the goal of reaching 30 percent by 2030.”

Despite this optimism, officials in the Comoros warn that other parts of the country’s marine environment are under serious threat.

Abubakar Ben Mahmoud, the Comoros Environment Minister, highlighted the perils faced by coastal communities. He said, “Our country is going through enormous difficulties, mainly due to climate change … we observe the rise in sea level every day. It even penetrates our homes, our crops, flooding our land with salt water. Today our coastline, our coastal reefs are dying little by little.”

One worrying observation from the mission was the absence of large predators like sharks in shallower waters (down to 30 metres), pointing to declines in near-surface ecosystems.

Nonetheless, there was good news on the coral front. Dr Lucy Woodall, from the conservation group Nekton, described the deeper coral communities “really beautiful”, noting their potential to support fish populations that local communities rely on. “This means that the coral can provide homes for the fish which are really important for the communities here. So now there’s a great opportunity, an opportunity for protection, for long‑term sustainable management.”

The scientists involved say that protecting these deeper ecosystems will require not just national action, but global leadership,  especially from world leaders convening at COP 30 in Brazil. Their data, drawn from the Comoros mission, will inform efforts to designate marine protected areas while there is still time to act.

Africanews and Maghrebi.org