0 a substance like rock, formed in the sea by groups of particular types of small animal, often used in jewellery: --
2 a hard substance formed in the sea from masses of shells of very small sea animals, usually orange or red in color --
Deep-water corals grow more slowly than tropical corals because there are no zooxanthellae to feed them.
Octocorals are soft corals such as sea pens.
At the sea bottom are a variety of corals, sea animals and plants which attract researchers and ecologists.
The value of these corals and other deep-sea organisms to our heritage will be seen over time and it is widely acknowledged that they have huge biotechnological potential.
Because of the anchors used and the risk of loss, they can cause ghost fishing and also seabed erosion, threatening the ecological balance of the deep-water corals.
There is also some evidence of collateral damage to corals and other organisms.
We must include here cold-water corals and seamounts, which shelter rich and often unique ecosystems.
Deep-sea trawlers were accused of systematically destroying the corals.
