Deepwater demersal fishes observed from the submersible Avalon (DSRV-2) off the Farallon Islands, 24 June 1985

Abstract

On 24 June 1985 the U.S. Navy's Deep Submergence RescueVehicle AVALON [DSRV-2] was used to locate low-levelradioactive waste containers and make observations ofdeepwater benthic fishes and invertebrates at the 900 m (2952 ft) radioactive waste disposal site approximat1y 4.4 km SW of the Farallon Islands off San Francisco, California. During the three hours on the bottom in depths of 975 to 1039 m (3198 to 3408 ft) five identifiable species of demersal fishes were observed: Dover sole, Microstomus pacificus; thornyheads, Sebastolobus spp.; deepsea sole, Embassichthys bathybius; sablefish, Anoplopoma fimbria; and Pacific hagfish, Eptatretus stoutii. Unidentifiable demersal fishes from the families Macrouridae and Zoarcidae were alsoobserved. Several species of macroinvertebrates were alsoidentified, including the tanner crab, Chionoecetes tanneri,and a large sea pen, Stylatula elongata. One low-level wastecontainer was located. The biology of the observed fishes and their commercial importance is discussed. (22pp.)