Shellfish divers probably have known these corals for a longer time, but it was not until recently that these large accumulations of azooxanthellate corals in shallow water have been desribed first time in the scientific literature (Häussermann & Försterrra, 2003). The coral banks consist of 3 species: Desmophyllum dianthus (Esper, 1784) is the largest and matrix species. Two further species are less abundant and new to science: Caryophyllia sp. and Tethocyathus sp, which are much smaller. Desmophyllum dianthus is a cosmopolitan species and was described mainly from greater depth off Chile (25-2460 m). The specimens found in the Chilean fjords can grow as large as 40 cm and live as shallow as 8 m, large accumulations can be found below 20 m depth. Coral banks with up to more than 1500 specimens/m² are generally restricted to vertical and overhanging walls and grow downward. This might indicate sensitivity towards sedimentation. Therefore it has to be expected that the sediments produced by salmon and mussel farms mean a serious threat to these corals. Considering the exponential growth of aquiculture industry in Chilean fjords in combination with the fact that there is not a single marine protected area in the entire fjord region (1500 km of straight coast line) these shallow water coral communities might be lost before they are really known.

There is urgent need for enhancing basic marine research in the Chilean fjord region to put coastal managment plans and legislation on a sound base. International interest has to be claimed and international help has to be granted to accelerate the establishment of marine protected areas.

Any ideas and comments on this subject are very welcome. We have prepared a first application for a marine protected area in two of the northern fjords in Chile which we will present to the authorities. If you know of anybody who could help us in our efforts to protect the fjord corals and to establish a marine protected area in the region please contact us.

If you are interested in this application (in Spanish), download it here.

Försterra, G. & Häussermann, V., 2003. First report on large scleractinian (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) accumulations in cold-temperate shallow water of south Chilean fjords. Zoologische Verhandelingen (Leiden), 345, 117-128.