Greek scientists took part in an international coral research program spanning seven Mediterranean countries to assess the status of this emblematic species. They dove into once-thriving coral sites – only to face a sobering reality.

From 2020 to 2023, researchers from Greece, Italy, France, Croatia, Malta, Morocco and Tunisia surveyed red coral populations under a program funded by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization. In Greece, the project was led by Maria Salomidi of the Hellenic Center for Marine Research (HCMR), who noted a steep population decline due to overharvesting and changing sea conditions.

Divers studied reefs near northern Evia at depths of 55-60 meters, finding low genetic diversity and widespread damage from fishing gear – even in protected zones. “This used to be a vibrant industry, but now populations have retreated to inaccessible depths,” Salomidi said. Scientists stress that without proper monitoring and mapping, red coral may vanish unnoticed from Greek waters.