Mother-Daughter Duo Finds Record-Breaking Coral on the Great Barrier Reef

A mother-and-daughter team of citizen scientists has discovered the world's largest known coral colony on Australia's Great Barrier Reef. The massive structure, stretching 111 metres long, was found near Lady Elliot Island in late 2023. Its exact location has since been kept secret to protect it from potential harm.

Sophie Kalkowski-Pope and her mother, Jan Pope, first spotted the enormous coral while taking part in the Great Reef Census. The project, involving over 100 vessels, helps identify key areas for reef recovery by gathering data from volunteers. Divers from the Under The Pole expedition later confirmed the coral's size using underwater measurements and high-resolution imagery.

The coral, a Pavona clavus species, covers roughly 3,973 square metres—an area larger than a football pitch. It surpasses a 173-metre-long Detrilloda herbacea coral, discovered in 2024 near the same region, as the most extensively mapped coral colony in the world. A detailed 3D model was also created to track its condition over time.

The site benefits from strong tidal currents and faces fewer tropical cyclones than other parts of the reef. These conditions may have helped the coral thrive. While its GPS coordinates were initially shared, researchers later withheld them to prevent accidental damage from boats or divers.

Citizens of the Reef, a conservation initiative, has played a key role in engaging the public to monitor and protect the Great Barrier Reef. The discovery highlights how 'people power' can contribute to scientific efforts in safeguarding fragile marine ecosystems.

The coral's record-breaking size makes it one of the most significant structures ever documented on the Great Barrier Reef. Its protected location and ongoing monitoring aim to ensure its survival. The find also underscores the value of citizen science in tracking and preserving vital reef systems.