Marine biologists have uncovered black coral growing to an unparalleled size and age.
The black coral, measuring 4 metres high and 4.5 metres wide, is a protected species, likely to be 300 to 400 years old.
Despite its name, the soft polyps of the coral appear white, whilst its hard skeleton is a striking black.
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Professor James Bell, a marine biologist at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington, was one of the diving team responsible for the find.
“It’s by far the largest black coral I’ve seen in my 25 years as a marine biologist,” Professor Bell told Need To Know.
“Most black corals we come across when we’re diving are small, with the bigger ones usually less than two to three metres tall, so finding this one was really cool.
““Pinpointing where large corals occur means we can better protect them by letting people know where not to anchor their boats or drop pots.”
The finding is important, as it will help boost the growth of the black coral population, which is naturally slow.
Richard Kinsey, senior biodiversity ranger at New Zealand’s national Department of Conservation, was also on the dive when the coral was found.
Richard said: “To see such a large coral looming out of the darkness was pretty special.
“I’ve been a marine ranger in Fiordland, New Zealand, for nearly 20 years and it’s rare to see a coral so big.
“It’s easily the largest one I can remember seeing.”
This specific black coral is thought to be among the largest ever seen in the waters around NZ.
As it is a protected species, it’s an illegal act to either collect or damage it.
