| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Discovery | A giant black coral, estimated 300-400 years old, found in Fiordland, New Zealand. Measures 13 ft tall, 15 ft wide--one of the largest and oldest recorded. |
| Scientific Significance | - Acts as a living archive of ocean history (temperature, chemistry).<br>- Slow-growing (millimetres per year), indicating centuries of stable conditions.<br>- Supports deep-sea biodiversity. |
| Ecological Role | - Provides habitat and shelter for marine species.<br>- Despite name, appears white/pale when alive (black skeleton).<br>- Keystone species for deep-sea ecosystems. |
| Conservation Status | - Protected under New Zealand's Wildlife Act.<br>- Vulnerable to fishing, anchoring, seabed activities.<br>- Mapping essential to prevent accidental damage. |
| Human Use & Threats | - Historically used in jewellery/medicine.<br>- Overexploitation led to population declines.<br>- Now recognized for ecological importance. |
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