A recent report indicates that cold-water corals are far more widespread than previously believed and under serious threat, raising concern among experts that precautionary measures should be taken by all nations to protect the former mysterious creature.

The report, released by the Nairobi-based United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) late last week to mark World Environment Day, entitled "Cold-Water Coral Reefs: Out of Sight - No Longer Out of Mind" is believed to be the most comprehensive ever on the subject, initiated and co-ordinated by UNEP and compiled by an international network of scientists.

It said that "the cold-water corals, mysterious and generally deeper living than their better known warm-water cousins in the tropics, are far more widespread and numerous than had previously been thought and they are under serious threat."

Researchers, using the latest submersible technologies, are now discovering cold-water coral reefs in many of the world's seas and oceans including the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian and the Mediterranean.

However, cold-water corals grow slowly - only a 10th of the growth rate of warm-water tropical corals - and build beautiful but fragile three-dimensional lace work structures, which are particularly vulnerable to impacts such as damage from heavy deep-sea fishing gear.

The studies show that the biggest threat to both cold and warm-water corals is coming from unsustainable fishing, and other threats include impacts from oil and gas exploration and production, the laying of cables and telecommunications links and waste disposal.

Klaus Toepfer, UNEP's executive director, said: "The planet's life-support systems are the source of stability for all peoples, all nations, and cold-water coral reefs are emerging as a new piece in this vital web of life which now requires our urgent attention."

Meanwhile, Claude Martin, director general of the World Wildlife Fund, has called upon leaders of governments and industry to take urgent action to conserve the spectacular and unique ecosystems of cold-water coral reefs.

Irish Environment Minister Martin Cullen and his British counterpart Elliot Morley have also appealed to the world society to work together to protect the precious species.

To conserve those corals, UNEP has announced a new initiative entitled "Reefs for People" to link coral conservation and dependent communities in developing countries. "UNEP are to propose the creation of executive partnerships in each of the regions hosting major warm-water tropical reef systems," said Toepfer.

Some countries, including Norway, Ireland, Britain and the United States, have placed some of their cold-water corals under tighter protection, including designating them as Special Areas of Conservation or Habitat Areas of Particular Concern.

(China Daily July 6, 2004)