Alaskan coral beds get new protection

Huge tracts of delicate coral gardens and soft-coral forests off the coast of Alaska will be permanently protected from fishing gear that targets groundfish and shellfish by scraping the seafloor.

SEA TREE. Growing several meters high, hot-pink soft corals can host living ornaments, such as brittle stars, in their branches. 2002 GOA Alaska Science Party, WHOI & NOAA

Most of the affected sites have never been disturbed by this gear.