Scientists Find 300-Year-Old Coral Giant in New Zealand

A diving team in New Zealand just found something extraordinary hiding in the deep waters of Fiordland: a black coral so massive it rewrites the record books.

The coral measures more than 13 feet tall and nearly 15 feet wide, making it the largest black coral ever documented in New Zealand's waters. Scientists from Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington estimate this gentle giant has been growing on the seafloor for 300 to 400 years.

Professor James Bell, a marine biologist with 25 years of experience, called the discovery "absolutely huge." Most black corals divers encounter stand less than six or seven feet tall, making this specimen more than twice the typical size.

Richard Kinsey, a senior biodiversity ranger with New Zealand's Department of Conservation, has worked in Fiordland waters for nearly 20 years. Even with his extensive experience, this coral stands out as the largest he's ever seen.

The Ripple Effect

The discovery goes beyond breaking records. These ancient corals serve as vital breeding stocks for their slow-growing species, and they create essential habitats for deep-sea animals that depend on them for survival.

By mapping where these coral colonies live, researchers can protect them from boat anchors and fishing gear that could destroy centuries of growth in minutes. The team is now working with the Department of Conservation and Fiordland Marine Guardians to identify and safeguard these underwater treasures.

Bell is asking divers and boaters to report sightings of especially large black corals over 13 feet tall. These citizen science reports will help researchers understand how many of these giants exist and where they're hiding in Fiordland's depths.

Despite its name, living black coral actually appears white because of the tissue surrounding its skeleton. Only the inner structure is black, which has made the coral valuable for jewelry and medicine across many cultures.

New Zealand law now protects black corals under the Wildlife Act, making it illegal to intentionally collect or damage them. Their extremely slow growth and long lifespans make them highly vulnerable to human disturbances.

The coral's age means it was already growing when Captain Cook sailed these waters in the 1770s, quietly filtering nutrients and providing shelter for countless marine creatures across three centuries.