Riyadh: Red Sea Global (RSG) today announced the significant discovery of a giant coral colony in the Red Sea (of the Pavona species) within the waters of AMAALA on the northwestern coast of Saudi Arabia. Rivalling the size of the current world record holder-a 32-by-34-meter colony found in the Pacific-this remarkable new find is the largest coral colony of this type documented in the Red Sea to date.
According to Saudi Press Agency, this natural wonder could become a key highlight for tourists at AMAALA on diving excursions, offering a unique and unforgettable experience. Access would be permitted in line with RSG's responsible tourism ethos, minimizing any potential impact while allowing visitors to witness the breathtaking beauty of the Red Sea's underwater world.
RSG's Head of Environmental Protection and Regeneration, Ahmed Alansari, commented on the discovery, emphasizing its ecological significance and the pristine beauty of the Red Sea. He noted the critical importance of protecting coral reefs, stating that these giants serve as time capsules of information. They provide tools for tracing past oceanographic transformations, which can aid in modeling responses to future environmental changes. Understanding how this coral has survived for so long will be crucial for protecting other reefs globally.
The release added that determining the age of these giant corals with minimal impact is challenging due to the invasive nature of accurate dating techniques and the absence of published growth rates for this particular species in the Red Sea. However, estimations have been made based on the coral's size, growth rates of this species found in the Pacific, and results from photogrammetry efforts. Using these tools, the coral cluster is estimated to be between 400 and 800 years old.
Upcoming studies by researchers from RSG and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) will help pinpoint the coral's age more accurately and provide insights into the environmental conditions in which it has thrived. Coral in the Red Sea is known for its particular resilience, adapting genetically to naturally warmer waters and higher salinity levels. This colony will be subject to ongoing monitoring and research to understand its resilience to multiple stressors over long periods, informing conservation efforts for other reefs worldwide.
The two RSG scientists who discovered the giant coral colony, Rhonda Suka and Sylvia Jagerroos, are now leading its mapping and documentation. Suka expressed the significance of the find, highlighting the colony's resilience in the face of increasing environmental and anthropogenic stress. Jagerroos stressed the rarity of such massive corals and the importance of mapping them as part of the 'Map the Giants' project, which documents vital giant coral structures globally.
The release also disclosed that AMAALA is set to welcome its first guests later this year, aiming to become the world's most comprehensive health and wellness destination. With over 1,400 hotel rooms across eight luxury resorts, it will host renowned wellness operators and offer programs tailored to diverse lifestyles. This follows RSG's other destination, The Red Sea, which began welcoming guests in 2023 and now has five hotels open.