A thriving deep-sea world lies beneath Newfoundland’s coast

A thriving deep-sea world lies beneath Newfoundland’s coast

Researchers from Oceana Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada have unveiled previously unseen ancient cold-water corals discovered on the Southern Newfoundland Slope near the Grand Banks. The expedition, conducted last October using drop cameras, revealed vibrant deep-sea ecosystems, including a century-old Bubblegum coral, which serve as vital indicators of geological history and marine health. These findings highlight the ecological significance of the region, explaining the area's rich biodiversity and long history of commercial fishing. While immediate regulatory changes are not being proposed, the team aims to raise public awareness about these hidden offshore habitats ahead of World Oceans Day.