Gérard Zinzindohoué

Stories

Coral reef presumed dead for 60 years found alive off West Africa

As of September 2026: Planning follow-up expeditions to sample corals and survey more of the coast

In 1963, fishing surveys off the coast of Benin picked up a sign of coral deep below the surface. Researchers wrote it off as dead and never looked again.

Updated Sep 15

Notable Quotes

Everything was alive and it was a really big moment for us because it was some things we have never seen.

from Coral reef presumed dead for 60 years found alive off West Africa · Updated Sep 15

This is still an initial exploration... If I had all the grant money in the world, the first thing I would do is return to the site with a proper scientific diving and sampling program.

from Coral reef presumed dead for 60 years found alive off West Africa · Updated Sep 15