Twilight Zone Observation Network: A Distributed Observation Network for Sustained, Real-Time Interrogation of the Ocean's Twilight Zone

Abstract The ocean's twilight zone (TZ) is a vast, globe-spanning region of the ocean. Home to myriad fishes and invertebrates, mid-water alone may constitute 10 times more biomass than all current ocean wild-caught fisheries combined. Life in TZ supports food webs plays critical role carbon capture sequestration. Yet ecological roles that mesopelagic animals play remain enigmatic. This knowledge gap has stymied efforts determine effects extraction by industrial fisheries, or alterations due climate shifts, have on ecosystem services provided open We propose develop scalable, distributed observation network provide sustained interrogation northwest Atlantic. will leverage “tool-chest” emerging enabling technologies including autonomous, unmanned surface underwater vehicles swarms low-cost “smart” floats. Connectivity among in-water assets allow rapid assimilation data streams inform adaptive sampling efforts. demonstrate bold new step towards goal continuously observing vast regions deep ocean, significantly improving estimates understanding TZ's supporting sequestering carbon.