Submersible Gathered Evidence of a Vulnerable Marine Ecosystem at the Melchior Islands, Western Antarctic Peninsula (Subarea 48.1)

One site is proposed herein as a VME based on high abundances of VME indicator taxa that fall within the range of previously registered VMEs. The site is off the east coast of Lambda Island, Melchior Islands, Western Antarctic Peninsula. Video imagery was taken via submersible deployed by Seabourn Venture. Data on the relative percent cover of all VME indicator taxa was sourced and analysed in the same manner as VMEs added to CCAMLR’s registry in 2018 (SC-CCAMLR-XXXVII) and 2022 (SC-CCAMLR-41) using all data from WG-EMM-18/35, WG-EMM-22/34Rev1 and WG-EMM-22/46Rev1 for a direct comparison. The present site clusters with previously registered VMEs. The site supports many large hexactinellid sponges and small bamboo corals. Notable also, is the presence of the rare and little-known hydroid, Candelabrum sp. – a VME indicator taxa that is particularly vulnerable to fishing gear as they can extend metres into the water column.