Benin coast reef rediscovered after 60 years of being labeled dead

A deep-sea expedition off the coast of Benin has revealed a vibrant reef ecosystem in an area previously categorized as “dead” for approximately 60 years. Using advanced underwater cameras, researchers discovered living corals and various fish species at depths exceeding 50 meters.

The reef is located in the mesophotic zone, where sunlight penetration is limited. The previous classification of the area as sterile stemmed from 1960s surveys that utilized limited equipment and were unable to observe the deeper, more complex habitats now being identified by modern technology.