A team of young marine biologists from Ocean Gardener has announced the discovery of what could be the world’s largest coral colony.
Named Galaxea astreata, the coral was found off the northern coast of Nusa Penida, Bali, following training provided by the Map the Giants program at the University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy.
A Massive Discovery
According to Ocean Gardener’s Research and Science Coordinator Manikmayang, measurements revealed that the coral colony spans 58 meters in width, 71 meters in length, and 10 meters in height, covering an area of over 4,000 square meters.
Remarkably, the coral’s presence had gone unnoticed by hundreds of divers frequenting the site daily.
“This discovery has the potential to set a new world record. However, further testing is needed to confirm its status among the giant coral colonies globally,” said Manikmayang in a statement on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.
Larger Than Previous Record
The Galaxea astreata colony surpasses the previous record held by a Pavona coral colony in the Solomon Islands, which measures 34 meters wide, 32 meters long, and 5,5 meters high.
Nusa Penida, located in the Lombok Strait, is a key point in the Indonesian Throughflow, where the Pacific Ocean flows into the Indian Ocean. This unique position allows coral to grow to enormous sizes and produce billions of larvae, which seed reefs throughout the Indian Ocean.
Conservation and Global Significance
The site of the Galaxea astreata colony lies off the shores of Sental Village, a renowned diving destination. It also falls within the boundaries of a marine protected area. This protected status, combined with Nusa Penida’s role as a significant hub for coral biodiversity, underscores the importance of the discovery.
Ocean Gardener’s team hopes the coral colony will become a focal point for conservation efforts, alongside iconic marine species in the area such as manta rays and sunfish.
“This find highlights Nusa Penida’s critical role on the Indo-Pacific coral reef map,” said Manikmayang, emphasizing the need for sustained protection of the region’s marine ecosystems.
