Noah's Ark of the Deep

SAINT-RAPHAËL, FRANCE - OCTOBER 5: This underwater drone, named Lily, can operate at depths of up to 1,000 meters on October 5, 2022 in Saint-Raphaël, France. In response to the climate emergency, UNESCO and the 1 OCEAN Foundation have launched a scientific exploration program titled "Noah's Ark in the Deep – A Future for Biodiversity ?". During the summer of 2022, gorgonians in the western Mediterranean basin suffered a mass mortality event due to abnormally high sea temperatures. The red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) is an endemic and emblematic species of the Mediterranean Sea. While most are red, some individuals may also appear yellow. Gorgonians are composed of thousands of tiny polyps, each with eight tentacles used to filter plankton from the water. These organisms play a vital role in marine biodiversity, forming underwater “animal forests” that serve as feeding grounds, nurseries, and shelters for many marine species. (Photo by Alexis Rosenfeld/Getty Images)