Details of what lives in the depths of a unique deep-sea canyon are set to be uncovered in an expedition underway on the south coast of Western Australia.

Key points: A state-of-the-art research vessel is set to probe uncharted territory off the WA coast

A state-of-the-art research vessel is set to probe uncharted territory off the WA coast Australian scientists are excited at the chance to use technology they normally cannot access

Australian scientists are excited at the chance to use technology they normally cannot access The Bremer Bay Canyon is a hotspot for marine life, but no one knows what lives in its depths

The Research Vessel Falkor, which is owned by the Schmidt Ocean Institute — founded by former Google chief executive Eric Shmidt and his wife, Wendy — set sail for the Bremer Bay canyon on Sunday.

Among those on board is seasoned Italian researcher and co-chief scientist, Paolo Montagna, who said the depths of the canyon remain a mystery.

"We know the shallow part of the Bremer canyon," Dr Montagna said.

"We know this is a biodiversity hotspot and a unique place for killer whales and other whales.

"But we don't know much about the intermediate and deep water, so it would be really an adventure, a true discovery actually.

"We have discovered new species also using the ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) and other research vessels, but we don't know anything about this part of the ocean."

The ROV SuBastian can operate at a depth of 4,500 metres and a speed of 0.5-3, knots depending on depth and currents. ( ABC Great Southern: Ellie Honeybone )

SuBastian on board

The RV Falkor comes equipped with a Remotely Operated Vehicle capable of diving to 4,500 metres.

The ROV SuBastian was named after the character, Bastian, from the German fantasy novel The Neverending Story. Falkor is also a character from the book.

Co-lead researcher Julie Trotter, who works at the University of WA, said using the ROV technology is particularly special for the Australian scientists on the mission.

"We have a very rare opportunity as Australian researchers to be able to utilize Remotely Operated Vehicle technology, because this deep-sea submersible is not available for scientific research in this country," she said.

The control room inside the RV Falkor where the ROV SuBastian is operated from. ( ABC Great Southern: Ellie Honeybone )

"We will be capturing the first images of the deep-water canyon systems and inhabitants, and we will then be collecting some of those samples to do analyses back in the lab.

"Our main goal for collecting those samples is to try and reconstruct environmental conditions.

"We're going to be targeting live organisms, and we'll presumably come across dead samples and potentially fossil samples as well."

A baby killer whale blows water as it reaches the surface of the water at the Bremer Bay canyon. ( ABC Rural: Fiona Pepper )

International attention

The canyon is the first stop on the RV Falkor's twelve-month tour of Australia, but its visit is not the only international attention Bremer Bay is receiving.

In the coming months, Japanese public broadcaster NHK will be creating a documentary on the area, spearheaded by filmmaker Dave Riggs.

Filmmaker Dave Riggs is thrilled the RV Falkor is exploring the Bremer Bay canyon. ( ABC Great Southern: Ellie Honeybone )

"It's a pretty amazing development to have the Falkor turn up and be pushing right down to the sea floor," Mr Riggs said.

"They're live streaming so anyone can watch it … I've been really fascinated by what could be down there.

"There's a lot of killer whales, a lot of sharks, seabirds — a lot of life out there, and that's a lot of mouths.

The 82-metre RV Falkor will be conducting deep-sea exploration of submarine canyons and coral ecosystems around Australia this year. ( ABC Great Southern: Ellie Honeybone )

"There's something feeding it and it's a really special place."

The Falkor's expedition is set to last for 32 days and include two more canyons on the west coast.