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Three Ways You Are Connected to Deep-Sea Coral

Seapen Grove in the Gulf of Alaska.

Bamboo coral in Hawaii

Deep-sea coral landscape off the coast of Florida.

July 16, 2012

1. Seafood

Deep-sea corals are home to important commercial fish species such as grouper, snapper, sea bass, rockfish, shrimp, and crab. 


2. New Medicines

Deep-sea corals play an integral part in advancing medicine. Chemicals found in deep coral and sponges have been used in treatments such as bone grafts and cancer medications.


3. The History of the Deep                                               

Scientists have dated living deep-sea corals to be more than 4,000 years old and have radiocarbon-dated dead corals to be more than 40,000 years old. Like oceanic fossils, their skeletons can tell scientists about temperatures and other ocean conditions of the past.

Three Ways You Can Help Protect Deep Sea Coral

1. Don't buy jewelry or ornaments made from deep-sea corals.

2. Make seafood choices that support wise and sustainable fishing practices

3. Reduce the amount of carbon you add to the air.


Keynote Address by Dr. Lubchenco at the International Coral Reef Symposium in Cairns, Australia

To learn more about the importance of coral reef science and policy-making read or watch Dr. Lubchenco's recent remarks at the International Coral Reef Symposium in Australia.