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Discovering Coral

Gorgonian coral in Juan Perez Sound near Haida Gwaii.

During the Finding Coral Expedition, Living Oceans Society identified 16 species of corals including small delicate Stylaster lace corals and large, 2 meter high Primnoa. From the window of the submarine, the science team was able to witness the rockfish, brittle stars, sea slugs and other creatures that live on or amidst these vibrant corals.

Deep sea corals are at risk from destructive fishing practices, particularly bottom trawling. Living Oceans Society is looking forward to working with governments and commercial fishermen -- specifically trawl fishermen -- to develop a conservation plan that ensures corals are protected and our fisheries are sustainable.

Rockfish and red tree coral in Juan Perez Sound

The Ecosystem

“Even if you never eat seafood--if you live in the middle of the Sahara and eat only dates from the palms of an oasis--you are dependent upon the ocean.

~ Dr. Thomas Shirley, Finding Coral science team member and participant in more than 40 research cruises and 12 submersible research projects.

The ocean is the heart and lungs of the planet -- every second breath you take comes from the phytoplankton in the ocean. It absorbs CO₂ and generates the weather that gives us rain, which in turn provides the water we drink. All people should be concerned about the health of the ocean, and deep sea habitats that are critical to ocean health.

Corals

Deep-sea corals are found in the world's oceans on continental shelves, slopes and seamounts where the water temperature ranges from 4 - 13 degrees Celsius. In the North Pacific, they live at depths from 40 to 5,800 meters. They feed by capturing nutrients from the water column using their tentacles. Some deep sea corals can be hundreds of years old. Because coral is slow growing and lives for a long time, if they are disturbed or destroyed, it can take decades for them to grow back, if they grow back at all.

Other Species

"For me, one of the most profound moments of the trip was when I was sitting at 500 meters, gazing at a huge boulder teeming with vibrant marine life and I realized that, in my search for deep sea corals, I had discovered an entire ocean.”
~ Jennifer Lash, Expedition Leader

Bottom Trawling

"Bottom Trawling is the subsea equivalent of collecting the entire farm, when the goal is to bring in a bushel of apples." - Dr. Sylvia Earle

Bottom trawlers drag weighted nets along the sea floor, scraping it bare as they scoop up everything in their path. Corals, as well as any unintended species of fish, are called “bycatch” that trawlers throw overboard, dead or dying.

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Discovering Coral

Discovering Coral