Video courtesy of the Deep Sea Medicines Expedition Team 2003, NOAA-OE. Download video (mp4, 1.5 MB).

Since our first ROV dive here two days ago, scientists have been actively searching for a particular type of bright-orange sponge called Forcepia. This is not just your ordinary sponge. Scientists from the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution hope that in the coming years, Forcepia may ultimately yield cancer-fighting compounds that improve the quality of life for millions or people. After two fruitless days of searching, scientists were down to their final dive in this area. If we did not find them today, chances were we we would head home empty handed. Fortunately, almost immediately after reaching the bottom, scientists spotted what they believed to be their prize.