A massive black coral measuring 4 meters tall and 4.5 meters wide has been discovered in Fiordland’s underwater environment, New Zealand. Estimated to be between 300 and 400 years old, the coral is considered one of the largest ever recorded in the region, drawing attention from marine researchers for both its scale and ecological importance.
The rare discovery was made by a team from Victoria University of Wellington, alongside members of the Department of Conservation (DOC) and the Fiordland Marine Guardians. Given the coral’s protected status and slow growth rate, the find marks a significant moment in ongoing conservation and marine biodiversity research in Aotearoa New Zealand.
A Once-in-a-Career Encounter for Marine Scientists
The coral was found during a research dive led by Professor James Bell, a marine biologist at Victoria University of Wellington, who described it as “absolutely huge.” Speaking about its size, he said, “It’s by far the largest black coral I’ve seen in my 25 years as a marine biologist.” According to him, black corals in the area typically measure less than two to three meters, making this specimen highly unusual.
Richard Kinsey, a senior biodiversity ranger with the Department of Conservation (DOC) who was also present during the dive, echoed that sentiment.
“To see such a large coral looming out of the darkness was pretty special. I’ve been a marine ranger in Fiordland for nearly 20 years, and it’s rare to see a coral so big. It’s easily the largest one I can remember seeing.”
Though known as black coral, the living organism appears white underwater. Its black skeleton gives the species its name, but this contrast often surprises divers encountering it underwater for the first time.
A Vital Underwater Ecosystem Protected
Because black coral grows slowly and lives for centuries, larger colonies act as crucial breeding stock for the species. Their protection is essential for the coral’s long-term survival. As explained by Bell, knowing the precise locations of large coral colonies enables better marine protection planning.
“We can better protect them by letting people know where not to anchor their boats or drop pots,” he explained.
Black coral is classified as a protected species under New Zealand’s Wildlife Act, making it illegal to damage or collect. The DOC works to ensure compliance with these protections, but challenges remain in monitoring such deep and remote locations. That’s why finds like this can reshape how and where protection measures are applied.
As Kinsey noted, seeing such a large coral in person is not only rare, it reinforces the need to respect and preserve these fragile marine habitats.
Fiordland’s Hidden Coral Giants
The discovery is part of a wider effort by researchers from Victoria University, the DOC, and the Fiordland Marine Guardians to map the distribution of protected coral species across Fiordland’s underwater terrain. The initiative aims to build a more complete picture of where large black corals exist and how frequently they occur.
“We’d love to receive reports from anyone who knows of particularly large black corals that are greater than 4 meters,” Bell said.
The team’s hoping that mixing science with local input will help protect some of New Zealand’s oldest and most overlooked ocean creatures.
