Crab (Eumunida Picta) in thickets of the deep-sea coral species Lophelia Pertusa.
As global fisheries are depleted, commercial fishing vessels move into deeper water to exploit fish and crustacean species that are frequently associated with complex coral structures. Since deepwater reefs are not visible to the general public, dissemination of information through the media and the education system is vital in order to create empathy for their protection Sandra Brooke took these photographs during her esearch expedition to examine deep sea habitat in the Florida Straits and to raise awareness of the perilous situation facing such deep sea coral ecosystems.
