Researchers are on their way to study reefs in the ‘twilight zone’. 

A team from the Australian Institute of Marine Science has embarked on a three-week trip to study mesophotic coral ecosystems. 

Most people are familiar with the surface level reefs that make up the Great Barrier Reef system, but less attention is paid to those found between depths of 30 to 150 metres.

The Schmidt Ocean Institute's R/V Falkor is taking the team to explore largely undocumented deep-sea coral reefs in the Ashmore Reef Marine Park.

This intermediate zone requires specialised equipment to properly obtain data, as the coral there experience a light regime unlike other species. The ship is carrying a range of equipment including the remotely operated underwater vehicle SuBastian, and advanced hyperspectral cameras. 

These cameras allow the researchers to look beyond the visible wavelengths of light, and may even be used to monitor the health of the mesophotic reefs as well.

Dr Nerida Wilson from the Western Australian Museum says the studies may help conserve reefs in the future.

“If conditions change, with climate, then the kind of environmental conditions that shallow reefs need now are going to be in those deeper areas in the future,” she told the ABC.

“We'll understand if they are providing a refuge for the shallow water animals, so we will also know to follow what happens to the animals that are currently only known in mesophotic areas.

“It's quite complex to try and figure out what happens in the future, and the more we understand now the easier our job will be then.”