Gorgonian Coral Skeleton in the Antarctic

Many organisms are utilizing this dead gorgonian coral skeleton for substrate on which to attach: such as demosponges, hexactinellid glass sponges, bryozoans (or lace corals) and a pink alcyonacean soft coral.

Greenpeace is on a three-month expedition to the Antarctic to carry out scientific research, including seafloor submarine dives, to highlight the urgent need for the creation of a 1.8 million square kilometre Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary. Key findings from the footage and samples gathered from the submarine dives will be shared with the Antarctic Ocean Commission (CCAMLR) to establish localised protections as well as to strengthen this and other upcoming proposals for marine protection in the Antarctic.