Pycnogonid Sea Spider in the Antarctic

A pycnogonid sea spider from around 560 meters off Lecointe Island (Gerlache Strait, Antarctic Peninsula). Although this specimen spans approx. 6 cm, some Antarctic sea spider species can grow to the size of a dinner plate.
Greenpeace is on a three-month expedition to the Antarctic to carry out scientific research, including seafloor submarine dives, to highlight the urgent need for the creation of a 1.8 million square kilometre Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary. Key findings from the footage and samples gathered from the submarine dives will be shared with the Antarctic Ocean Commission (CCAMLR) to establish localised protections as well as to strengthen this and other upcoming proposals for marine protection in the Antarctic.