World's largest coral colony found off Australian coast by mother-daughter team

A mother-and-daughter citizen science team located a Pavona clavus coral colony on the Great Barrier Reef measuring about 111 meters and covering roughly 3,973 square meters; size was verified with underwater measurements and high-resolution imagery, and the exact site location was withheld to reduce risk of unintended impacts.

A mother-and-daughter team of citizen scientists identified what conservation group Citizens of the Reef describes as the largest documented coral colony on the Great Barrier Reef. The colony is a Pavona clavus that spans about 111 meters and covers roughly 3,973 square meters. The discovery was made late last year during surveys connected to the Great Reef Census, a volunteer-driven effort to collect reef imagery. Citizens of the Reef and collaborating researchers verified the measurements and produced a 3D model from manual underwater measurements and high-resolution surface imagery. Key details: - Found on the Great Barrier Reef; the exact site location has not been released to reduce the risk of unintended impacts. - Measured extent is about 111 meters (364 feet) in length and about 3,973 square meters (42,765 square feet) in area. - Species identified is Pavona clavus and the discovery was reported by Sophie Kalkowski-Pope and her mother, Jan Pope, during the Great Reef Census. - Verification used manual underwater measurements and high-resolution imagery taken from surface platforms, with a 3D model created for monitoring. - Researchers note the site experiences strong tidal currents and relatively low exposure to tropical cyclone waves, and they are examining whether these conditions played a role in the colony's size. - The report places the finding in the wider context of reef stress: the Great Barrier Reef and many reefs worldwide have experienced mass bleaching events, with reporting that an ongoing global bleaching event that began in 2023 has affected a large share of reefs. Summary: The mapped colony provides a detailed baseline that can be used for future one-to-one comparisons to monitor change over time. Scientists are examining local tidal and wave conditions to understand possible contributors to the colony's size; Undetermined at this time.