Hexactinellid glass sponge found during what is thought to be the southernmost scientific submarine dive in history, at 65 degrees south. Seen onboard the Arctic Sunrise in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica.
The scientists witnessed an incredible abundance of life, including corals and other vulnerable species and will use it as evidence to call for the area to receive special protection at the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).

The expedition managed to enter the remote Weddell Sea as Antarctic sea ice reached the lowest extent on satellite record.
The Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise has returned to the Antarctic Peninsula with scientists Susanne Lockhart and Rachel Downey for a series of dives with a submersible to explore the sea floor. Greenpeace is conducting scientific research and documenting the Antarctica's unique wildlife, to strengthen the proposal to create the largest protected area on the planet, an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary.