An addition to a north-east deep sea exploration lab that has helped put Scotland at the forefront of marine research was officially opened on Tuesday.

The University of Aberdeen’s £4.4 million Oceanlab 2 facility will continue the groundbreaking studies into the world’s oceans currently being undertaken in the city.

The project has already discovered new species of fish and recorded the deepest ever images of living fish.

Situated next to the existing original Oceanlab, the resources remit also includes the impact of global warming on marine environments.

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead opened the facility on Tuesday.

He said: “We are heading towards an era where renewable energy will be even more important in our fight against climate change, and our seas will only become more valuable.

“Improving our understanding of the marine environment is key, so leading research institutions like Oceanlab clearly have a vital role to play in terms of increasing Scotland’s competitive edge and keeping us at the forefront of international marine research.”

Oceanlab leads the world with its remotely operated camera systems that can be deployed in water as deep as 36,000 feet.

The base claimed a major coup as recently as last November when it recorded the first pictures of the deepest dwelling fish in the Pacific Ocean.

The specialised autonomous camera, developed in conjunction with the facility, was able to capture the creature at 7,700 metres below the surface.

Professor Monty Priede, Director of Oceanlab, added: “Oceanlab is already contributing greatly to Scottish and global marine science as well as providing a service to the subsea industry.

“Oceanlab 2 will secure our future and maintain this lead for the coming decades.

“It offers us space to welcome scientists from around the world to come and work with us on important new research.”