Royal Charlotte: See never-before-seen photos of a massive coral bank discovered by scientists in Bahia | Globo correspondent

Science discovered it only last year, Royal Charlotte is an enormous 100-kilometre-long coral reef located in the Recife de Fora Municipal Marine Park, on the coast of Porto Seguro (BA). Its coral reefs reach depths of up to three thousand metres, and a wide range of species live there.

“It was the first deep, living, complex coral reef that we had found,” says Ronaldo Francini, a biologist at the USP Marine Biology Center. “This is the pinnacle of your career as a marine scientist.”

Ronaldo has been diving to study the sea for 30 years, and was the first Brazilian to open his eyes in Charlotte, on an expedition from the Coral Vivo Project. Globo Repórter dived into the coral bank and obtained never-before-seen photos of the place. (Watch the video at the top of the article)

According to Deborah Pires, PhD, marine zoologist and founder of the Coral Vivo Project, Royal Charlotte is of great importance to the Bahia coast.

“It’s a real coral reef, with a biological structure that acts as a natural barrier against coastal erosion,” explains Deborah.

Coral reefs are rare, occupying less than 0.2% of the oceans. But it is home to 25% of marine life, including prehistoric creatures, such as brain coral, which is found only in Brazil.

Researchers on the project collect samples of brain corals and other animals for research purposes. “The potential is huge. It is very important that we move forward with these studies in this area,” says Ronaldo.

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