New coral reef discovered in Seychelles

http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/item.php?news=1868

Scientists from the University of Essex have discovered a new,
previously undiscovered coral reef in the Seychelles.

David Smith and David Suggett, researchers at the University's Coral
Reef Research Unit in the Department of Biological Sciences, discovered
the new reef along with PhD student Sebastian Hennige.

The three were visiting Curieuse Island as part of an ongoing study
funded by Mitsubishi Corporation in conjunction with the Earthwatch
Institute when they discovered the reef.

The island, home to about 200 giant land tortoises, was not previously
thought to have a coral reef.

According to David Smith, “Diving revealed an extensive coral reef to
the south of the island, at a depth which would not be visible to the
occasional snorkeller.”

The researchers also found evidence of destruction caused by the 2004
tsunami and signs of recovery on the reef.

The discovery of the reef has resulted in a plan by authorities to
establish a centre of marine field-based research on Curieuse Island.

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