One of the largest black coral forests in the Mediterranean has been discovered off the island’s southwest coast.

It is an important scientific discovery not only because of the large stretch of black and white corals found, but also because it was thought that such large coral populations did not exist around the country’s shores. Scientists counted 2,000 colonies of coral at a depth of 300 metres.

“Black coral is one of the slowest-growing and longest-living creatures around. It is therefore more vulnerable because it only grows a few millimetres a year,” said marine biologist Alan Deidun, who was part of the team that discovered the corals.

The discovery of the forest at such a depth was made possible through advances in technology – the underwater research vessel that can reach those depths cost about €2,000 per day to use.

The project was implemented by the University of Malta in conjunction with Italy’s Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), which provided the research vessel because the University does not have the necessary equipment. The discovery also suggests that a new approach is required for the protection of marine areas.

The site was full of discarded fishing lines that pose a danger to the corals as well as fish.