Deep dive on Coral Sea health.

Researchers have conducted deep dives in the Coral Sea to uncover new fauna and coral species in the Great Barrier Reef. These dives, reaching record depths of up to 152 meters, have provided valuable knowledge about unique fauna and coral species that could help prevent the deterioration of Australia's sea reef systems. The expedition, led by scientists from the Australian Museum and the California Academy of Sciences, explored mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCE) in the Coral Sea and the Great Barrier Reef. These ecosystems are home to unique fauna not found anywhere else in the world. The researchers documented numerous new species and collected tissue samples for genome sequencing. However, they also observed widespread coral bleaching due to warm water temperatures. The research aims to enhance understanding of deep coral reef environments and contribute to conservation efforts. The expedition was supported by the Minderoo Foundation and the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. [Extracted from the article]