World’s largest coral found in Pacific Ocean
Saint Martin Island in Bangladesh has made headlines recently in local news because of travel restrictions aimed at protecting its coral reefs. In the meantime, the world’s largest coral reef has been discovered in the Pacific Ocean.
Numerous small animals have joined together to form a giant coral reef. Researchers believe that the coral, which is larger than a blue whale, may be more than 300 years old.
A National Geographic team visited a remote area of the Pacific Ocean to investigate the impact of climate change. A videographer working there discovered it at the time.
‘I went diving in a place where, according to the map, there should be a shipwreck. That’s when something special caught my eye,’ said Manu San Felix.
When he returned, he told his diving partner and son Inigo about the matter. The father and son went down to the depths of the sea together to observe what the thing was.
“It’s an incredibly emotional experience.” I felt a huge sense of honor to find something that has been in one place for hundreds of years. I thought, wow! “This has stood since the time of Napoleon,” remarked Manu San Felix.
Using a tape measure used for underwater measurements, scientists on the expedition measured the size of the coral. It was 34 meters wide, 32 meters long and 5.5 meters high.
Coral reefs around the world are facing serious pressure as the oceans warm due to climate change. Often described as the ‘architects’ of the sea, corals can form huge reefs. These reefs are home to fish and other species. The coral is found in the waters off the Solomon Islands.
“We rely on marine resources for our economic survival. Coral is crucial, and protecting it from exploitation is both important and challenging for our economy, said Manu San Felix.
Mr Manemahaga stated that increased funding for the Solomon Islands would help create diverse jobs, resulting in fewer people working in industries harmful to coral reefs.
Logging is currently a major part of the country’s economy, accounting for 50-70 percent of the country’s annual export earnings. But it also causes high levels of water pollution, which damages coral.
Coral scientist Eric Brown, part of a National Geographic expedition, reported that the coral seemed to be in good health.
“The healthy coral oasis in deeper water is a hopeful sign, even as nearby shallow reefs erode due to warming oceans,” he said.
The coral is a species called Pavona clavus, which provides habitat for shrimp, crabs, fish and other marine animals.
The age of the specimen suggests it could be a window into past ocean conditions. Scientists hope to study it further to learn more about how it grew.
A report from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reveals that 44% of warm-water corals are at risk of extinction. This rate has increased by a third since the species was last assessed in 2008.
