The OceanX vessel docked in Dubai in 2023. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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A bramble shark off the UAE's east coast. Photo: OceanX
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Bramble sharks are quiet creatures. Photo: OceanX
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OceanX has a submersible craft that allows researchers to undertake complex deep-sea missions. Photo: OceanX
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The New York University Abu Dhabi team descend to a reef. Photo: OceanX
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The OceanX vessel, formally called the OceanXplorer, off the UAE's coast in December. Photo: Rebekka Pentti
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John Burt, an associate professor at NYUAD. Victor Besa / The National
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The OceanX vessel also has a remotely operated vehicle. Photo: Rebekka Pentti
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Inside mission control of the remotely operated vehicle. Photo: B Rivoira
A long-headed spiny lobster found during the mission. Photo: OceanX
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A sea urchin found in the depths. Photo: OceanX
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Hard coral from the family Dendrophylliidae. Photo: OceanX
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A basket star, which is an invertebrate with twisting and turning arms, was also noted. Photo: OceanX
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A cuttlefish egg, attached to a branch of gorgonian. Photo: OceanX
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Fossilised mangrove roots found during the expedition. Photo: Rebekka Pentti
The OceanX vessel docked in Dubai in 2023. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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A bramble shark off the UAE's east coast. Photo: OceanX
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Bramble sharks are quiet creatures. Photo: OceanX
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OceanX has a submersible craft that allows researchers to undertake complex deep-sea missions. Photo: OceanX
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PRFW4TR4INCIHMXFII655UHGKY.jpg?smart=true&auth=9fdaecfd414d363d830c93154c72ffc2243530b740c22cc83744ba2d80af6786&width=400&height=225)
The New York University Abu Dhabi team descend to a reef. Photo: OceanX
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IZFH7C7WWVD3FKGHNO5MDIZGNI.jpg?smart=true&auth=591c8fcde2367e3ac501d3dd0dc06ddcd5fc92a67ebdde0116f2d48bef50fad4&width=400&height=225)
The OceanX vessel, formally called the OceanXplorer, off the UAE's coast in December. Photo: Rebekka Pentti
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John Burt, an associate professor at NYUAD. Victor Besa / The National
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The OceanX vessel also has a remotely operated vehicle. Photo: Rebekka Pentti
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Inside mission control of the remotely operated vehicle. Photo: B Rivoira
A long-headed spiny lobster found during the mission. Photo: OceanX
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A sea urchin found in the depths. Photo: OceanX
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Hard coral from the family Dendrophylliidae. Photo: OceanX
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A basket star, which is an invertebrate with twisting and turning arms, was also noted. Photo: OceanX
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YNSQV2RRE5BVXDSYCMVNJIQIFU.jpg?smart=true&auth=bfb62756dd43075330784dc62e9e75c2299b4285ccb60c9b3892f9e7b9c59a4d&width=400&height=225)
A cuttlefish egg, attached to a branch of gorgonian. Photo: OceanX
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Fossilised mangrove roots found during the expedition. Photo: Rebekka Pentti
The OceanX vessel docked in Dubai in 2023. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Endangered bramble shark found for first time off UAE coast
Species spotted by NYUAD team during survey to explore recently discovered 'mysterious reef'
![John Dennehy](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F6672bef4-f371-4546-90ba-13ad5ded9082.png?smart=true&auth=f1d711e1371a4276112f01656e091484625201f90342530a0b42086db97abdf2&width=70&height=70)
John Dennehy
26 February, 2024
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