After only a few days at sea, while exploring over 4,300 meters (2.7 miles) below the ocean surface, scientists with NOAA's Ocean Exploration program have found what they believe to be an undescribed species and perhaps a new genus of octopus!

Read more about the discovery and watch the video.

The team is conducting deep-sea operations using an Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV). Target areas this time begin off the NW Hawaiian Islands and work west.

You can watch the expedition live online, read daily updates and mission logs, and check out photos and videos here.

The expedition will explore largely uncharted deep-sea ecosystems and seafloor in and around the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM). At-sea and shore-based science teams will work together to make some of the first deepwater scientific observations in this area.

Geographic priorities for 2016 operations include areas inside and outside of PMNM, as well as locations in international waters during transit to the Marshall Islands. The expedition is a continuation from the 2015 Hohonu Moana: Exploring the Deep Waters off Hawai’i expedition, which was featured in the October 2015 ECO Magazine.