Description
Red coral grows in shady rocky habitats between 5 and 700 meters deep. Small animals, polyps, share its calcareous branchlike skeleton. Minuscule tentacles can be seen through which is feeds on microorganisms.
Scientific name
Corallium rubrum
Natural habitats
- Underwater canyons
- Rocky seabeds
- Underwater caves
Did you know?
Used in jewellery since antiquity, the populations of red coral have dropped sharply due to overexploitation combined with slow growth.
Conservation stake
Strong
Threats
- Exploitation by man and uprooting
- Destruction by fishing boats
- Changes to its environment
- Climate change
- Acidification of waters
Conservation management initiatives
In the French Sud Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur region fishing this is subject to a permit delivered by the Region’s Prefect.
How can I help to protect it?
- I use environment-friendly mooring techniques to limit the impact of anchoring
- In the case of anchoring out at sea, I only anchor in areas where marine habitats are not fragile and raise the anchor vertically
- I do not disturb marine wildlife. Look but don’t touch!
- I avoid contact with the seabed and with sloping faces
- I avoid repeated and long visits to caves
- I report any unusual environmental incidents
- I recover waste and dispose of it in suitable bins on land
- I do not gather souvenirs from the sea
- I share this best practice with other seafarers and raise their awareness.
