A team of young Indonesian marine biology researchers from Ocean Gardener have discovered a coral colony claimed to be the largest in the world.
The north coast of Nusa Penida, Bali, yielded the Galaxea astreata colony. The discovery came after the research team took part in a Map the Giants training program organised by the University of Milano Bicocca, Italy.
According to Manikmayang, Ocean Gardener’s Research and Science Coordinator, measurements of this coral colony showed extraordinary dimensions: 58 meters wide, 71 meters long, and 10 meters high.
“This discovery has the potential to become a new world record. However, several tests are needed to establish its status among the giant coral colonies in the world,” Manikmayang explained in a statement to various national media.
With an area of over 4,000 square meters, the existence of the Galaxea astreata colony was previously unnoticed by many divers who pass through the area every day.
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Nusa Penida, in the Lombok Strait, is a strategic area on the Indonesian Through flow path that connects the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean.
It is a major crossroads where corals can grow to gigantic sizes, then produce billions of larvae that seed reefs throughout the Indian Ocean.
For this reason, Nusa Penida is an extremely important location at the centre of the Indo-Pacific coral map. Nusa Penida’s giant corals are already within the boundaries of a marine protected area.
The presence of large corals such as Galaxea astreata adds to the importance of the area, not only for the scientific world but also for marine conservation efforts and raising awareness of the importance of coral reef conservation.
