Nearly a century and a half ago, the mighty S.S. Tasman sank off the rugged coast of Tasmania’s Tasman Peninsula, settling silently on the ocean floor. Over the decades, the wreck became a haven for marine life — a hauntingly beautiful underwater world frozen in time.
Recently, a group of Tasmanian divers ventured to the wreck to mark the 140th anniversary of the Tasman’s sinking. What started as a commemorative dive soon turned into a breathtaking moment of scientific discovery.
As diver Brad Turner explored the shadowy remains of the ship, something unexpected caught his eye — a small flash of pink flitting just above the seafloor. At first, he could hardly believe it.
“I was confident it was a pink handfish,” Turner said, “but given how rare they are and how infrequently they’ve ever been seen, I wasn’t 100 percent sure. I guess I was somewhat in disbelief.”
Trying to contain his excitement, Turner quickly flashed his dive light to get the attention of fellow diver James Parkinson. At first, Parkinson thought his teammate had spotted a long-lost relic — but then he saw it.
“Once my eyes adjusted to what they were pointing at, I saw the handfish,” Parkinson said. “And I realized immediately it was a pink handfish. This was a significant discovery.”
You can witness the remarkable moment in their dive video here.
Pink handfish are one of the ocean’s most mysterious and endangered species. Named for their quirky, hand-like fins that they use to “walk” along the seafloor, these shy, reddish-pink fish are critically endangered and almost never seen in the wild. In fact, researchers know surprisingly little about them — and until now, no diver had ever documented one in its natural habitat.
“We believe we are the first divers to ever find this species in the wild,” Turner said.
Handfish populations have declined dramatically due to habitat degradation, pollution, and invasive predators. The sighting brings new hope — and much-needed attention — to a species that teeters on the edge of extinction.
For the divers, the moment was deeply personal — proof that their underwater passion could also make a real impact.
“For me, it’s added a whole new dimension to diving,” Turner said. “The idea that we might stumble across something rare and help scientists better understand it — that’s incredibly rewarding.”
The discovery has energized marine researchers and conservationists, who are now more hopeful than ever about protecting this remarkable little fish.
To help support the protection of handfish and their fragile ecosystem, consider donating to the Handfish Conservation Project.
