There is a newly discovered species of coral deep underwater in the oceans near Sonoma County in California.
The NOAA announced this amazing find yesterday, November 5. They also found a nursery for catsharks and skates in the same area.
These discoveries were made during the first extensive exploration of two marine sanctuaries off the coast of Northern California north of Bodega Head. The NOAA looked at two marine sanctuaries, one at the Gulf of Farallones and one at Cordell Bank. Marine scientists used sophisticated equipment that could film sea life at depths of up to 1,000 feet. The scientists studied the video from atop the NOAA's R/V Fulmar.
The area had been mostly unexplored before, but scientists guessed that it would be rich with marine life, because sonar imaging showed a large amount of rocky habitat. Previously, the area had only been explored with sonar imaging. An official at the U.S. Geological Survey said that the quality of rocky habitat exceeded the expectations scientists had based on the sonar imaging in some of the areas.
This new coral comes from genus Leptogorgia. It was discovered 600 feet deep in an underwater canyon.
Scientists collected samples of the coral so they could study it at greater length. They hope to learn more about the threats this coral is facing.
"Deep-sea corals and sponges provide valuable refuge for fish and other marine life. Effective management of these ecosystems requires science-based information on their condition," said Maria Brown, superintendent of the Farallones sanctuary.
Coral species are in great danger of extinction due to things like elevated ocean temperatures. Earlier this year, the NOAA added 20 new types of coral to the Endangered Species Act, gaining federal protection. The NOAA will need to do more research to determine the risk level for this newly discovered coral.
The team also found hundreds of skate eggs in the same area as a catshark nursery.
"This is a highly unusual nursery because rarely, if ever, are shark nurseries in the same area as skate nurseries," said Peter Etnoyer, biologist who specializes in deep-sea life, and works at NOAA.
