The British Antarctic Survey has released a plethora of pictures from the recent cruise one of its research ships took through the icy waters of the Antarctic.

The ship – the James Clark Ross – was taking part in an international biodiversity study.

“Few people realise just how rich in biodiversity the Southern Ocean is – even a single trawl can reveal a fascinating array of weird and wonderful creatures as would be seen on a coral reef,” says David Barnes, the cruise leader (press release).

“These animals are potentially very good indicators of environmental change as many occur in the shallows, which are changing fast, but also in deeper water which will warm much less quickly.”

See all the photos on the BAS website.

Young Icefish (Chaenocephalus aceratus)

Posed photo of basket star, (Gorganocephalus sp.)	Sea Pig (sea cucumber / Holothuroid)	Octopus (likely Pareledone sp.)

All photos: BAS