CE18012 Exploiting and conserving deep-sea genetic resources: Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) cruise II

The survey was carried out to collect fauna (specifically sponges and corals) using the ROV. 12 science dives were carried out as well as high definition video data recorded. The wider objectives of the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) project were to: (1) target biodiscovery research at cnidarian (coral) and sponge species that occur in Ireland’s offshore waters, via a comprehensive collecting and screening programme.

(2) predict the likelihood of novel products being found in any other sponge or coral species occurring in Irish deep waters, based on the known relationships between species (knowing that secondary metabolite evolution often mirrors taxon evolution) and based on data both generated during the project and already available on potential novel natural products. (3) analyse the distribution of species with predicted biodiscovery potential to provide maps of ‘biodiscovery hotspots’ which will allow more cost efficient future exploitation and also provide information that will facilitate their effective conservation.