What we are beginning to learn is that corals are diverse animals capable of living in every ocean of our world, at various depths. The breathtaking beauty and abundance of life found on a shallow–water (depth less than 20m/60 ft.) reef can be matched by both mid-level (depth 20-50m/60-160ft.) and deep (depth greater than 50m/160ft.) coral reef tracts. While much of the world’s shallow reefs have been identified and documented, we are just beginning to leverage technologies such as mixed gases in open circuit scuba, closed circuit rebreathers, manned submersibles, and rovs [remotely operated vehicles] to explore these depths.

Why do we care?
An excellent explanation of the importance of coral ecosystems can be found in the recently released report of the Marine Conservation Biology Institute entitled Status of Deep Sea Corals in US Waters, with Recommendations for their Conservation and Management, 2006. [authors - Morgan, L.E., C.-F. Tsao, J.M. Guinotte]

“As anyone who fishes, snorkels, or dives knows, fish are often encountered in or near places with complex, three-dimensional habitat—for example, kelp forests, coral reefs, and seagrass beds. The amount of three-dimensional habitat on the seafloor generally correlates with the level of biodiversity
(Krieger 1993, Love et al. 1991, Risk 1972, Yoklavich et al. 2000). … Coral ecosystems not only increase local microhabitat, but may also cover vast areas, thus providing resources to uncountable numbers and types of creatures.”

Ocean Outreach is actively and directly involved in exploration of
and research work on coral ecosystems. Recent projects include:

Mid-range coral research expedition

NPS coral sonar data survey

Pulley Ridge deep coral expedition