Mesophotic Reef Research

Atolla
Research
Initiative

Mesophotic Reefs · Gorgonian Corals · CCR Diving · New Species

Field Work

2026
Expedition
Season

Pacific Deep Survey
Mar – Jun 2026

12-year time-series of mesophotic research and CCR diving on the shear walls of Pohnpei, Atolls Ahnd (UNESCO) & Pakin. Documenting gorgonian octocoral communities and discovering new species at depths of 50–200m.

Gorgonians CCR Diving Pacific
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Monterey Bay Series
Sep – Nov 2026

Continuation of our 3-year time-series at Station Alpha, Monterey Bay. Citizen scientists invited. eDNA and habitat photography across 12 study sites.

Time Series eDNA Citizen Science
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Science & Engagement

Research & Engagement

Core Science
  • Mesophotic Reef Ecology
  • Mesophotic Reef Ecology (30–200m)
  • Gorgonian Octocoral Taxonomy
  • Phylogeography & Systematics
  • Functional Morphology
  • New Species & Phenotype Discovery
  • Deep Ocean Conservation
Field Methods
  • CCR Diving (to 200m)
  • In-situ Deep Experimentation
  • Specimen Collection & Curation
  • Phylogenomic Sampling
  • Time-series Reef Monitoring
  • Deep Reef Documentation
  • 8,000+ Gorgonian Specimens Curated
Field Sites
  • Monterey Bay, California
  • Indo-Pacific Mesophotic Sites
  • Station Alpha — 650m
  • Frontier Mesophotic Reefs
  • 12+ Active Research Sites
  • Indo-Pacific Field Sites
Outreach
  • Citizen Science Classification
  • Open Data Initiative
  • Public Expedition Dispatches
  • School & University Outreach
  • Ocean Awareness Campaigns
Partnerships
  • Scripps Institution of Oceanography
  • MBARI
  • Natural History Museum London
  • Open Ocean Data Portal
  • Nature Communications (under review)
Publications
  • 6 New Behavioural Phenotypes
  • eDNA Species Catalogues
  • Open-Access Field Dataset
  • Open-Access Field Dataset
  • Open Dataset — Release 2026

About

Mesophotic
Reef
Research

The Atolla Research Initiative documents and protects mesophotic reef ecosystems — the poorly understood twilight zone between 30 and 200m. Led by Dr Sarah Rowley, the programme combines over 40 years of CCR diving expertise with cutting-edge phylogenomics to discover new species and understand the ecology of deep reefs before they are lost.Atolla wyvillei — a species found globally in the mesopelagic and bathypelagic zones. Led by Dr Sarah Rowley, the programme conducts ROV expeditions to depths exceeding 200m in pursuit of first-contact observations of bioluminescent behaviour in the wild.

200m — Maximum depth reached, 2026 Expedition Season
6 New behavioural phenotypes documented, in review at Nature Communications
312 Specimens Logged
3-yr Time Series
200m Max Depth
2026 Active Season
  • Scripps Institution of Oceanography — Lead Research Programme
  • MBARI Research Partner
  • Natural History Museum London — Scientific Associate
  • Open Ocean Data Portal — Contributing Researcher
  • R/V Sally Ride — Primary Research Vessel
  • Nature Communications — Manuscript Under Review
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Expedition

Field dispatches, new species discoveries, and bioluminescence findings — direct from the deep.

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