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

Sixty years after fishing surveyors first spotted coral off Benin, my team finally rediscovered this thriving ecosystem. Guided by hope and a National Geographic grant, we overcame funding hurdles and equipment failures to locate a healthy mesophotic reef. This discovery reveals eight coral types and diverse fish species, offering a unique window into past climates and a vital opportunity for conservation in the Gulf of Guinea.

"We don't need to wait for others to come to our country to show us what is under our sea. We are the ones who must take responsibility."