Long Presumed Dead, a Thriving Coral Reef Is Discovered in West Africa

# Summary Beninese scientists have rediscovered a thriving coral reef off the coast of Benin, more than 60 years after fishing surveyors first detected evidence of it in the 1960s. The healthy reef, which spans approximately 24 miles, supports at least eight coral types and eight fish species despite global coral die-offs that have reduced reef coverage by over 50% since the 1950s. The discovery required a $20,000 National Geographic grant and creative problem-solving, including using local fishing boats to deploy sonar equipment in the offshore search.