Antarctica - October 29, 2025 Western Weddell Sea, Antarctica – In a region once buried beneath a 200-metre-thick ice shelf, scientists have discovered extraordinary fish nesting grounds while searching for Shackleton’s lost ship. Using the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) ‘Lassie,’ researchers observed more than 1,000 circular nests meticulously cleared of plankton detritus, arranged in striking geometric patterns across the seabed. These nests, built by yellowfin notie rockcod (Lindbergichthys nudifrons), demonstrate remarkable organization. Some are solitary, others form curves or dense clusters. Each nest would have been guarded by a parent fish, providing protection for eggs and illustrating the ‘selfish herd’ strategy, where central nests gain safety from surrounding neighbors, while solitary outskirts are likely occupied by stronger individuals. The Weddell Sea Expedition 2019, aboard the South African research vessel SA Agulhas II, aimed to study the waters around the Larsen C Ice Shelf and locate the Endurance, Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship lost in 1915. Although the ROV did not find the wreck, the expedition navigated treacherous ice and gathered crucial experience for the Endurance22 mission, which located the preserved ship in 2022 at 3,008 meters below sea level. The discovery of these nesting grounds is more than a scientific curiosity. It identifies a Vulnerable Marine Ecosystem, critical for biodiversity and Antarctic conservation. Protecting this area supports not only penguins and seals but also the intricate food web sustained by these hidden nurseries. The nests reveal how life thrives in extreme environments, forming resilient and cooperative communities even under the harshest conditions.