Long-Lost Coral Reefs Rediscovered Off the Coast of Africa

Scientists have rediscovered a coral reef off Benin that was previously presumed dead after 1960s surveys detected a possible reef deeper than 50 meters. Using high-resolution sonar and underwater drones, researchers returned to the same area and found a thriving mesophotic coral ecosystem in the Gulf of Guinea’s “twilight zone.” The reef appears patchy, with scattered coral patches on rocky outcrops, and at least eight coral types and eight fish species were documented. The team says future work will expand surveys and collect samples to confirm extent and history.