Scientists say new data reveals the Tasman Sea contains 10 times more marine life than was previously thought.
Information collected in eight years during joint New Zealand and Australian research has been released, and it suggests there could be 100 million tonnes of living creatures in the Tasman.
Graham Patchell, a scientist with the Sealord company, whose vessels have helped collect the data, says the research will help shed new light on global warming.
As it continues, he says, scientists will be able to determine the importance of the biomass in taking carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, and that will provide clues to the impact of climate change.
