Deep-Sea Coral Science

Deep-sea corals are often habitat for fishes and invertebrates. (Photo by S. Ross et al., UNC-W)

Shallow-water coral reefs are sometimes called "the rainforests of the sea" for their extraordinary biological diversity, perhaps the highest anywhere on Earth. However, until quite recently, few people — even marine scientists — knew that the majority of coral species actually live in colder, darker depths, and that some of these form coral reefs. Based on current knowledge, deep-sea coral and sponge communities appear to be as important to the biodiversity of the oceans and the sustainability of fisheries as their analogues in shallow tropical seas.

Deep-sea corals structure spectacularly diverse seafloor communities and provide shelter, feeding habitats and breeding /nursery grounds to many fish and invertebrate species. As some deep-sea corals can live to be 1,800 years old, deep-sea corals can serve as archives of climate conditions that are important to understanding the Earth's past. Additionally, these rare corals are being used to develop new pharmaceutical protects to figh cancer, Alzhiemer’s disease, asthma, pain and viral infections. Despite the ecological importance of deep-sea coral and sponge ecosystems, relatively little is known about the biology and distribution of these ecosystems. However, they continue to be greatly impacted by destructive fishing practices such as bottom trawling.

The Status of Deep-Sea Corals in US Waters

MCBI scientists Lance Morgan, Fan Tsao, and John Guinotte released the first report documenting where deep sea corals are found in US waters, the activities that threaten these unique, long-lived habitats, and the current management strategies being used to protect them.

The findings of this report reinforce the conclusions of the National Research Council in 2002, the Pew Oceans Commission in 2003, and the US Commission on Ocean Policy in 2004 — which found that bottom fishing, specifically bottom trawling, is the major and most immediate threat to deep sea coral communities.

Currently, US management of marine resources focuses on fisheries rather than the ecosystems and the biodiversity therein. Consequently, it does not provide sufficient protection for deep-sea coral habitats. Until the US government makes protecting ecosystems — rather than exploiting resources — the overarching goal of management, we will continue to fall short of protecting deep-sea corals, sustaining healthy fisheries, and maintaining the oceans' productivity and biological diversity.

Ecosystem-based management, comprehensive ocean zoning, a ban on bottom trawling in deep sea coral areas, and a national mandate to protect these ancient seafloor ecosystems are necessary to provide sufficient protection and sustainability for our oceans.

Download the report [18 MB PDF] and its Executive Summary [2 MB PDF]

You may also request a hard copy by clicking the Place Order button below. There is a US $5 charge per copy for shipping and handling within the US. We will ship the report within a week via US Postal Service. For international shipping, or to request more than one copy, please contact mcbiweb@mcbi.org or call (425) 274-1180 directly. Thank you!

Scientists' Statement on Protecting the World's Deep-sea Coral and Sponge Ecosystems

In 2004 and 2005, MCBI organized the Scientists' Statement on Protecting the World's Deep-sea Coral and Sponge Ecosystems. Garnering signatures from more than 1400 scientists from 69 countries, this historic proclamation signifies unprecedented concern by experts in marine sciences and conservation biology, including the world's foremost biologists.

View the statement and its 1452 signers.

Research Cruise to Study Deep-Sea Corals in the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary
In June 2004, MCBI's Lance Morgan join a research cruise to explore the undersea waters off the Olympic Peninsula. Scientists on this cruise made a rare Pacific sighting of a classic hard coral primarily found in the deep Atlantic Ocean — a branching white species known as Lophelia pertusa. The research was one of the most concerted efforts made off Washington's coast to document deep-sea corals.

Download the cruise report.

Cold-Water Corals and Ecosystems: Proceedings of the 2nd Deep-Sea Coral Symposium
MCBI's Chief Scientist Lance Morgan participated in the 2nd Deep-Sea Coral Symposium, held in Erlangen, Germany in September 2003. He published two papers in the symposium proceedings:
Morgan, L.E., P. Etnoyer, A.J. Scholz, M. Mertens, M. Powell (2005). Conservation and management implications of deep-sea coral and fishing effort distributions in the Northeast Pacific Ocean.

Etnoyer, P. and L.E. Morgan (2005). Habitat-forming deep-sea corals in the Northeast Pacific Ocean.

Special Issue on Deep-Sea Corals in Current: the Journal of Marine Education

To inform marine educators of deep-sea corals, MCBI produced a special issue on deep-sea corals in Current: the Journal of Marine Education, July 2005. This issue highlights recent deep-sea coral discoveries and research efforts from the US and Europe, and examines the importance of deep-sea corals as habitats, climate recorders and medicine sources.

Occurrences of Habitat-forming Deep Sea Corals in the Northeast Pacific Ocean

In 2003 MCBI published "Occurrences of Habitat-forming Deep Sea Corals in the Northeast Pacific Ocean." This report synthesizes 2,649 coral records and integrates the best available information about the distribution of these beautiful yet fragile animals.

Download the full report [1.6 MB PDF] and the distribution maps of the following coral taxa [1 MB JPG]:

• Families Caryophylliidae and Oculinidae distribution map
• Family Antipathidae (black coral) distribution map
• Family Corallidae distribution map
• Family Paragorgiidae (bubblegum tree) distribution map
• Family Primnoidae (red tree) distribution map
• Family Isididae (bamboo coral) distribution map
• Family Stylasteriidae distribution map