Scientists Have Found The Cousin Of ’World’s Ugliest Animal’ From Deep, Cold Australian Abyss

CSIRO ichthyologist John Pogonoski described the trip as "frontier science" which was vital for increasing scientists' understanding of the deep-sea environment.

"We are investigating possible new species and fishes never before recorded in Australian waters," he said.

The voyage, an international collaboration led by Museums Victoria, was the first-ever survey of the abyssal waters off Australia's east coast.

Australian National Fish Collection manager Alastair Graham said it was the largest and deepest habitat on the planet, covering one-third of Australia's territory.

"But it remains the most unexplored environment on Earth," he said.