IT IS not quite Munro bagging but a team of scientists are to explore Britain’s highest mountain, seeking to reach the base rather than the peak.

Biologists from the Scottish Association for Marine Science (Sams) are planning the first ever assault on Anton Dohrn, the 5,700ft extinct volcano submerged beneath the Atlantic Ocean, off the Hebridean coast.Using the latest sub-sea exploration equipment, they expect to find previously unknown plant and animal species.

The expedition also hopes to uncover vital evidence of the impact of deep-sea trawling on sea life. Some scientists already believe the practice could be wiping out many deep-sea species, including some which have not yet been discovered. It is believed French trawlers routinely trawl as deep as 5,000ft on the continental slope off the west coast of Scotland, dislodging “huge chunks” of coral. Conclusive evidence could lead to part of the Atlantic Ocean around the Outer Hebrides being designated as a marine conservation area.

The team will use a remote-controlled operating vehicle (ROV), equipped with on-board cameras and hydraulic cutters which can collect samples using a suction device while probing depths of more than 16,000ft.

A PhotoLander machine, used in space exploration, will be lowered onto the sea bed and left for a month to take time-lapse pictures of the mountain’s base. Scientists hope to capture evidence of previously undiscovered species.

Photographs of the sea bed could also reveal the extent of any damage caused by deep- sea trawlers, which drag heavy “rock hopper” gear across the rough terrain of the sea bed to catch species such as the orange roughy, also known as the deep-sea perch.

Although very little is known about Scottish sea mountains, a large number of similar peaks have been charted in the Pacific Ocean, particularly off the Tasmanian coast. Studies revealed they create powerful currents that promote luxuriant growth of cold-water and soft corals. Some nine new species of hydroids, a relative of coral, were found growing on the flanks of the Tasmanian Seamounts. Corals, sponges, sea spiders and slipper lobsters were also found.

Research also suggests that many species of fish and invertebrates are unique to sea mountains. This means Anton Dohrn could support isolated habitats with their own diverse ecosystem.

Anton Dohrn was formed millions of years ago by ancient volcanic eruptions and takes its name from a research ship, which in turn was named after the German zoologist Anton Dohrn, who died in 1909.

It rises from the continental shelf more than 200 miles from the west coast of Scotland in an area known as the Rockall Trough. Its peak, which has been “flattened” by wave erosion, covers a surface area equivalent to the size of Greater London and lies 500m below the surface of the ocean. It is flanked by two smaller sea mounts, Rosemary Bank and the Hebrides Terrace. Both peaks are also submerged.

However, apart from these basic details, Professor John Gage, a deep sea biologist at Sams who will lead the expedition, says little is known about the Scottish seamounts.

“It’s astonishing how many seamounts we have, and yet very little is known about them,” he said.“We have crude information but we need better appreciation of their topography and the biology associated with them.

“There is some prospect of finding entirely new species, but I also think we are in for some very bad discoveries.”

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