Sixty years after initial evidence was found, a healthy coral reef teeming with marine life has been rediscovered off the coast of Benin. In the 1960s, fishing surveyors noted coral in the Gulf of Guinea, but the find was largely overlooked.

Despite global coral reef decline, a team led by Gérard Zinzindohoué, funded by a $20,000 National Geographic Explorers grant, successfully located the reef approximately 14 miles offshore. The expedition faced challenges, including obtaining specialized sonar equipment and securing transport via local fishermen's pirogues.

The rediscovered reef, classified as a mesophotic coral ecosystem (MCE), harbors at least eight coral types and eight fish species. Researchers believe this undisturbed ecosystem could provide valuable insights into past climates and support conservation efforts, potentially leading to the designation of a marine protected area. The discovery highlights the need for further research in the under-explored Gulf of Guinea.