New coral reefs discovered in the Gulf of Mexico

These reefs are commonly found more than eight meters deep.

By
Javier Arroyo Pineda
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New coral reefs discovered in the Gulf of Mexico
Photo: j981511225 / Pixabay

In recent days, a team of researchers from National Technological Institute of Mexico (TecNM), in collaboration with the Institute of Marine Sciences y Fisheries of the University of Veracruzana as Mexican Center for Environmental Law (CEMDA), discovered five new coral reefs in the southwest of the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of Veracruz.

According to the researchers Ana Lilia Gutiérrez Velázquez, of the TecNM y Leonardo Ortiz Lozano, Universidad Veracruzana, the mentioned reefs cover an area of ​​more than 100 hectares, which highlights the importance of this research.

The reef that stands out is High Stones, which is located at the mouth of the river Tecolutla, which is the largest area with 388 hectares. Just like him Hearts, located in front of the lagoon Tamiahua, with a length close to five kilometers by 700 meters wide, which places it as the longest and northernest reported to date.

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The reefs The Roosters y Shrimp, It's found between Anton Lizardo and the river Papaloapan, which have ecosystems relevant to marine fauna, such as sponges, algae and other invertebrates.

The researchers pointed out that these marine ecosystems are located below the sea surface, at depths greater than 8 meters, reaching just over 40 meters, so they are a fundamental piece of the food chain and serve as a refuge for fleeing species. from the increase in temperature in the oceans, predators and marine currents, in addition, they produce oxygen, capture carbon dioxide and their structure helps mitigate the impact of natural phenomena, such as hurricanes.

Once they were found, those in charge of the project sought to declare the new structures that are outside the Reef System National Park. To achieve legal protection, especially important for oil extraction in the Gulf of Mexico, they must submit a petition to the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (CONANP).

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