Scientists have identified nine new species of deep-sea sponge in the waters off Alaska, a discovery that expands the known biodiversity of one of the least explored marine regions on Earth. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced the findings on Thursday, saying the sponges were collected in the Gulf of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands.
The discovery raises the total number of sponge species documented in Alaskan waters to 232. Researchers described the find as a glimpse into a deep-sea ecosystem that remains largely unmapped, with many organisms still unknown to science.
The new species add to a growing body of evidence that the cold, dark seafloor off Alaska supports a rich and specialized community of filter-feeding animals. Sponges play a structural role in these habitats, providing shelter and surfaces for other organisms in an environment where hard substrate is scarce.
That habitat is under pressure. Bottom trawling in the region disturbs seafloor communities, and the Trump administration's plan to expand seafloor mining could further alter the deep ocean. Scientists studying the region warn that species may be lost before they are formally described.
The announcement follows years of survey work by federal researchers, who have been sampling deep waters along Alaska's continental shelf and island chains. Each expedition has returned specimens that require careful laboratory examination, DNA analysis, and comparison with known species before a new designation can be confirmed.
Sponges are among the most ancient animal groups on Earth, with a fossil record stretching back more than 500 million years. They feed by pumping seawater through their bodies and filtering out nutrients, a process that also helps cycle carbon and other materials through marine ecosystems.
Because they grow slowly and live for long periods, deep-sea sponges are particularly vulnerable to physical disturbance. Recovery from trawling or mining damage can take decades or longer, and some species may not recover at all within human timescales.
The nine new species were not named in the announcement, and full taxonomic descriptions are expected to appear in the scientific literature. Such publications are essential for conservation planning, because legal protections generally apply only to formally recognized species.
Alaska's deep waters have produced a steady stream of discoveries in recent years, including corals, crustaceans, and fish adapted to cold temperatures and high pressure. The region's complex seafloor topography, with seamounts, canyons, and island slopes, creates varied habitats that support distinct communities.
NOAA has not said whether the newly identified sponges occur outside the sampled areas. Their range, abundance, and ecological role remain open questions for future research.
The finding underscores how much remains unknown about the ocean at a time when industrial interest in the seafloor is increasing. For now, the nine species stand as a reminder that discovery and conservation often move on different timetables.