59. 



towed across the axis. 



It is apparent that for a survey of corals and other 

 hard substrate fauna the submersible has many advantages. 

 However, a submersible is also much more expensive and 

 cannot quickly survey as large an area as can a camera-sled. 

 The ideal methodology for a large scale survey of the type 

 attempted in this study would be to initially survey an area 

 using a camera-sled that can be towed in a flying mode. The 

 results of that survey could then be used to identify areas 

 that warrent closer study by a submersible. 



CONCLUSIONS 



The field survey largely substantiates and expands the 

 findings of the historical survey. Canyons afford unique 

 habitats for their faunal constituents by providing a 

 variety of substrate types and possible nutrient enrichment. 

 This heterogeneous environment allows many species and 

 various trophic types to coexist. In shallow water (100- 

 400 m) canyon faunal assemblages are similar to those found 

 on the slope. The major difference between canyon and slope 

 habitats manifests itself in the middle depth range (400-1100 m) 

 Within this depth range the fauna of the slope is heavily 

 dominated by fish, while the fauna in canyons is frequently 

 dominated by small shrimp, corals and sponges. This is a 



