More than 60 years after surveys reported apparently dead coral structures off Benin, scientists have returned to the area and discovered living coral communities flourishing at depths of around 54m.

The implosion of the submersible Titan during a 2023 descent to the RMS Titanic site was caused by structural failure in its carbon fibre pressure hull, according to the U.S. Coast Guard’s Marine Board of Investigation. The report concludes that the tragedy, which killed all five on board, was both preventable and rooted in a series of critical design, operational and management failures.

Bonnethead sharks, known for their uniquely shaped heads, are part of the hammerhead shark family. For years, there was thought to be only one species, Sphyrna tiburo, with two subspecies. One is found in the western Atlantic, including the waters off the US, Mexico, and the Bahamas, and the second is found in the eastern Pacific. However, new findings suggest a more complex picture.

The marine reserve is located in the Atlantic Ocean at the southwestern tip of the island of El Hierro, the westernmost of the Canary Islands. The area is known for its exceptional marine biodiversity, including sharks, dolphins, tuna, rays and turtles. The waters are calm because they are sheltered from the trade winds, and its tropical nature is home to species not found in the rest of the archipelago. The almost complete kelp cover and the diversity of the seabed support a high level of biodiversity. The area is also an essential habitat for beaked whales.

The study describes how the researchers launched a drone from the beach and flew it to the site of a disturbance spotted from shore. Two basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus) were immediately seen in close proximity—one near the bottom and one near the surface. The latter was confirmed to be a mature male due to the presence of claspers, while the shark near the bottom appeared to be a female.

NOAA has called on fishermen to play a key role in preserving underwater historical treasures. To protect these maritime time capsules, NOAA has stressed the importance of avoiding fishing activities around known shipwreck sites

There are more than 200 wrecks in the sanctuary, according to NOAA, which specifically mentioned the World War II minesweeper USS Heroic, the trawler Josephine Marie and the 55ft North Star, along with eight unna

Researchers have charted a colossal deep-sea coral reef system off the southeastern coast of the United States. Described as an underwater metropolis of a 'million mounds', this vast network stretches across the continental shelf and heralds a new chapter in ocean exploration.

The mapping of this coral reef, a feat accomplished through advanced 3D imaging technology, is a landmark in maritime science, underscoring the vast, uncharted territories that still lie hidden beneath the waves.

Seaweed in the Atlantic

These sprawling masses of seaweed, often stretching for miles, have been observed in the Atlantic over the past few years. While such occurrences are not entirely new, their increasing frequency and size have raised concerns about their potential environmental impacts.

A recent in-depth exploration by BBC Future sheds light on the phenomenon, unraveling the complex factors behind the enigmatic seaweed blooms.