Photo / Getty ImagesBy Kim Moodie of RNZA report from an environmental coalition says bottom trawlers have hauled up 128 previously unknown species of coral in the past three years. Forest & Bird spokesman Geoff Keey said previously unknown species of coral were found in bycatch, pulled up in weighted nets raking the sea floor in search of fish. Report co-author Karli Thomas said many of the previously unknown species of coral had come from seamounts, which are biodiversity hotspots. "These are really important spawning grounds and nursery grounds for some of our deep sea species. "Black coral species are several thousand years old, so they're a very long-lived, slow-growing species.

Source: New Zealand Herald August 03, 2021 01:18 UTC