Porcupine Bank
Porcupine Bankis an area of the Irish shelf, on the fringes of theAtlantic Oceanapproximately 200 kilometres (120 mi) west ofIreland.[1]The relatively raised area of seabed, 200 m below sea level at its highest,[2]lies between the deep-waterPorcupine SeabightandRockall Trough.
The name comes from the bank's discovery in 1862 byHMSPorcupine,aBritishsail andpaddle-wheel shipused mainly for surveying.[3][4]
The northern and western slopes of the bank feature species ofcold-water corals.[5]
According to Dr. Anthony Grehan of theNational University of Ireland, Galway,the virtually untouched site could benefit dwindling fish stocks and possibly aid medical research.
"These are by far the most pristine, thriving and hence spectacular examples of cold-water coralreefsthat I’ve encountered in almost ten years of study in Irish waters. There is also evidence of recent recruitment of corals and many other reef animals in the area suggesting this area is an important source oflarvaesupply to other areas further along the Porcupine Bank. "[6]
— Dr. Anthony Grehan
References
[edit]- ^Velasco, Francisco; Jorge Landa; Joaquín Barrado; Marian Blanco (2008)."Distribution, abundance, and growth of anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius) on the Porcupine Bank (west of Ireland)".ICES Journal of Marine Science.65(7): 1316–1325.doi:10.1093/icesjms/fsn130.
- ^Shannon, P, Haughton, P, Corcoran D, (2001) The Petroleum Exploration of Ireland's Offshore Basins, Geological Society, P355
- ^Evans, Frank."A History of the Porcupine Marine Natural History Society".Porcupine Marine Natural History Society. Archived fromthe originalon 3 November 2011.
- ^Hoskyn, R. (1863)."Atlantic Telegraph and the Western Coast of Scotland".The Merchants' Magazine and Commercial Review.48.
- ^"Deepwater coral reefs found off west coast".RTÉ News. 26 May 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 26 November 2009.
- ^"New coral reef found off west coast".Breaking News.26 May 2009.
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53°20′00″N13°30′00″W/ 53.3333°N 13.5000°W
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