International Mesophotic Workshop – Eilat 2014Mesophotic session at the ASLO/TOS/AGU 2014 Ocean Sciences Meeting (Hawai’i)A new blenny described from the deep reefs off CuracaoFlorida university to take over operations of Aquarius underwater habitat“Locally extinct” coral species Seriatopora hystrix found at upper mesophotic depths in Okinawa

Mesophotic.org is an on-line resource database that serves as a repository for information on Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems (MCEs). The term Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems refers to light-dependent coral communities (and associated communities of algal, sponge and fish species) that occur in the deepest half of the photic zone (starting at 30-40 m and extending to over 150 m) in tropical and subtropical regions. Previously, this depth range has also been referred to as the twilight zone.

MCEs have received very little attention compared to shallow sections of coral reefs due to logistical constraints. However, recent developments in scientific diving (rebreather technology, mixed gas diving: nitrox/trimix) and underwater robotics (ROV, AUV) have sparked a recent interest in these deep reef communities. The purpose of this database is to function as a central repository for this relatively new field of research and make the information available to researchers, managers, policy makers and the general public.

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