Deep West African coral reef found alive after 60 years

Scientists have confirmed that a coral reef off the coast of Benin, long presumed dead after surveys conducted more than six decades ago, is in fact alive. Underwater cameras deployed at depths exceeding 50 meters captured vibrant coral patches teeming with a variety of fish species, overturning earlier assessments that the reef had succumbed to degradation. The discovery was made during a recent exploratory mission that aimed to verify the condition of the seabed in the region, and the footage showed healthy-looking colonies with no visible signs of bleaching or disease.

The finding suggests that West Africa’s coastal waters may host additional, undocumented reef systems that have escaped scientific scrutiny. Researchers note that the presence of a thriving reef in an area previously thought to lack viable coral could prompt renewed surveys and targeted conservation efforts across the Gulf of Guinea. Ongoing analysis of the video data and subsequent sampling will help determine the extent of the reef, its biodiversity, and its resilience, informing future marine management strategies in the region.