“A Curtin University-led study has revealed the extraordinary biodiversity hidden in deep underwater canyons off Western Australia’s Nyinggulu (Ningaloo) coast, ranging from species previously undetected in the area, such as the elusive giant squid, to others thought to be new to science.

The Western Australian Museum-led expedition on board the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s R/V Falkor surveyed the deep Cape Range and Cloates submarine canyons about 1200km north of Perth, collecting more than 1000 samples from depths of up to 4510m

Using environmental DNA (eDNA) – genetic material naturally shed by animals into seawater – scientists were able to document what species live in these deep habitats without needing to see or capture them.

Among the most striking finds were traces of the giant squid (Architeuthis dux) detected in both the Cape Range and Cloates Canyons across six separate samples, plus deep‑diving whales such as the Pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) and Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris).”

From Curtin University.