The Tremiti Islands are an Italian archipelago in which a forest of black corals was found, the largest in the Mediterranean Sea. For this reason it is the ideal place for those who love diving, a real paradise for snorkelers. We feel like saying that you don’t need to go to the Maldives or the Caribbean to see beautiful seabeds! We often forget the beauty of our country and as soon as we have some days off we pack our bags to escape far away. Yet Italy has all the characteristics to surprise us! In fact, a forest of black corals with over 800 colonies was recently discovered here in the Tremiti Islands. One of the largest in the Mediterranean. Read on to find out more.
The black corals
Black corals live mainly in tropical seas and can be found at depths ranging between 100 and 1000 meters, can reach 2 meters in height and live more than 2 thousand years. These creatures are the longest-lived on the planet but also the most vulnerable. This type of coral has a white color under water. In fact, the black for which it is known is due to the concentration of the antipatina protein which, concentrating in the skeleton, strengthens it thus preventing it from breaking. The ancient Greeks called them “anti pathos” (against suffering), and for many centuries they were used by ancient populations to create amulets against the evil eye. They were especially renowned for their sheen and rarity.
Beware of fakes
Black coral is often confused with the so-called Savalia Savaglia, an organism that lives as a parasite on gorgonians, soft corals with a woody skeleton. Savalia savaglia overgrows and kills these aquatic plants. In fact, this organism has a skeleton similar to that of black coral, but, once dissected, the woody structure of the gorgonian on which it grew is revealed.
The Hidden Treasure of the Tremiti Islands: a National Geographic Documentary.
A young researcher from the University of Bari (Puglia), he carried out research on black corals together with a team that involved researchers and local fishermen. The aim of the project is to protect the territory of the Gargano, safeguard and respect it. The documentary was made by National Geographic. To conclude this short article, we leave you with the words of the researcher Chimenti, we hope they will inspire you to explore our country, always love and protect it:
“Even close to us there is always so much to discover, just let yourself be guided by curiosity and learn to marvel.”
Researcher Giovanni Chimienti during an interview with National Geographic