A critical component of our work in exploration is the process of discovery. Visiting a unique environment for the first time exposes limitless opportunities for driving science, and purest discovery lies at its roots.

The Bahamas has provided our living test bed for experimenting with novel scientific diving techniques within the mesophotic, or ‘middle light’, zone of our ocean, from depths between 200 and 500 feet. Each time we are in the field, efforts are made to support our growing collaborative team of world-class researchers by providing data and imagery from this alien mesophotic environment. May 2011 was no exception.

As part of a haphazard collection of cryptic fishes, one particular beast peaked the attention of John Sparks of the American Museum of Natural History.

The fish turned out to be a new species of clingfish, and was just recently published in the Journal Copeia.

The fish, named Derilissus lombardii (after yours truly!) is a small but essential testament to the inherent value in exploration…frankly, if we don’t look, we’ll never know what’s out there, and a major discovery – something earth shattering – could be just seconds away.

The search continues…