The largest coral in the world discovered in Solomon Islands (Photo courtesy Live Science)

A recent National Geographic expedition exploring the waters around the Solomon Islands spotted something that at first looked like a shipwreck underwater. The object, however, was not a shipwreck but a massive coral, now confirmed as the biggest coral in the world.

Visible from space, and over 300 hundred years old, the world’s largest known coral has been found in the waters of the South Pacific. The discovery in the Solomon Islands archipelago was made by National Geographic cinematographer Manu San Félix and his son Inigo, part of the Pristine Seas regional expedition to assess the impacts of climate change on local marine ecosystems.

“Just when we thought there was nothing left to discover on earth, we found a massive coral… teeming with life and colour,’’ said marine ecologist Enric Sala, founder of Pristine Seas.

In contrast to a reef, which is a network of multiple coral colonies, this newly discovered standalone structure is a single unbroken colony of the species Pavona Clavus. Formed by a complex network of nearly a billion tiny creatures known as polyps, this unique organism has grown uninterrupted for the last three centuries, now measuring 32 meters long, 34 meters wide and 5.5 meters high.

Monumental discovery

Ronnie Posala, the fisheries officer for the Solomon Islands, stated: ‘’For the people of the Solomon Islands, this mega coral discovery is monumental. It reinforces the importance of our ocean, which sustains our communities, traditions and future. Such discoveries remind us of our duty to safeguard these natural wonders, not only for their ecological value but for the livelihoods and cultural identity they provide.’’

The Solomon Islands hosts one of the planet’s most biologically complex and diverse marine ecosystems. However, like most of our world’s coastal regions, the Solomon Islands are under increasing threat from excessive over-exploitation, resource depletion, and climate change.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature, last week reported that 44 percent of warm-water corals are threatened with extinction. A threat we ourselves are realising on our own Kenyan coastline.

Kenya’s coral reefs

The Kenyan coastline is itself the host to over 250 coral reefs, with Shimoni and Kisite located in the south having the highest coral diversity. These reefs found at different depths ranging from less than 1 metre at low tide to over 20 metres, are home to rich biodiversity and serve as crucial economic resources for fishing and tourism.

However, the coral reefs along Kenya’s coast, once vibrant ecosystems teeming with life, are now at a critical tipping point. Climate change, pollution, overfishing, and unsustainable coastal development are threatening the survival of these fragile ecosystems.

Scientific studies conducted on Kenya’s marine environment paint a grim picture, revealing the rapid degradation of coral reefs, which are struggling to regrow fast enough to keep up with the pace of destruction.

Like the shallow-water corals of the Solomon Islands, Kenyan reefs are already suffering from bleaching and acidification as a direct result of rising sea temperatures.

Despite the Nairobi Convention describing Kenya’s Marine Protected Areas as some of the most effective in the Western Indian Ocean, greater cooperation is still required on a global scale.

A “beacon of hope”

Described by coral scientist Eric Brown as a ‘’beacon of hope,’’ the historic Solomon Island Discovery can hopefully do just this. It can bring our seas back into the international spotlight, and reminded the world that there is still something left to save.

Natasha Tisminiesky has an M.A. in Environmental, Development and Policy