New species of Coral off Northern California, Nov. 13

While surveying the Bodega Canyon 600-feet below the surface of the Pacific Ocean off of Northern California marine scientists have discovered a new species of a deep-sea coral. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) mission of the previously untouched stretch of deep water in September took place off the Sonoma Coast, north of San Francisco. The research team worked on board the R/V Fulmar, based out of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The white coral has been identified from the Leptogorgia genus, a previously unknown species.