Deepwater Stingrays in Papahānaumokuākea
Spotted: deepwater stingrays in Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary! While exploring the steep banks flanking Nīhoa with ROVs Atalanta and Little Hercules, the team was delighted spotting several Plesiobatis daviesi rays. While initially investigating a Malacocephalus sp. grenadier at 567 meters (1,860 feet) deep, we caught sight of our first cartilaginous chondrichthyan gliding along the seafloor. These flattened elasmobranchs are widely distributed across the Pacific’s continental slopes, including south to Australia where they're called giant stingarees.
Along the dive, this fascinating predator was spotted again at 563 meters (1,847 feet) and 579 meters (1,899 feet). Deepwater stingrays are predators that eat crustaceans, cephalopods, and bony fishes. They use their long, flexible snouts to root through the sediment for tasty snacks but are also known to nab prey from within the water column. Watch until the end, and you’ll spot the famous Chewbacca coral (Iridogorgia chewbacca).
Ocean Exploration Trust's NA182 Exploration of the Hawaiian Islands was funded by NOAA Ocean Exploration via the NOAA Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute.
Deep-Sea Habitats of the Hawaiian Archipelago
Our final OECI-sponsored expedition of 2026 brings E/V Nautilus back to the Hawaiian Islands. While nearshore waters surrounding the islands have been relatively well surveyed, many offshore areas remain completely unexplored, hindering efforts to effectively manage the resources of this unique region.
