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The hand of death coral
Seascape: the state of our oceans

Coral discovered in uncharted Danish waters – in pictures

This article is more than 6 years old

A mapping project led by the conservationist Klaus Thymann has revealed a rich, varied habitat off the coast of Jutland

The hardy hand of death coral. Photograph: Klaus Thymann
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theguardian.org
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Fri 17 Jul 2020 04.00 EDTLast modified on Fri 29 Oct 2021 07.37 EDT
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Sea off Jammerbugten, Jutland, Denmark
Even close to the coast, the Jammerbugten seafloor remains mostly undocumented. Due to harsh western winds, Klaus Thymann’s team had to wait months for calm seas. Eventually, they found a few days during the summer that provided the conditions for good water visibility. All photographs: Klaus Thymann
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The underwater habitats beneath Bulbjerg, the only bird cliff on the Danish mainland
A wide range of underwater habitats are found beneath Bulbjerg, the only bird cliff on the Danish mainland. This picture shows chalk, sand and rock in close proximity
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Shallow underwater habitat off coast of Jutland in Denmark
Algae grow in a shallow chalky area. By mapping the seafloor and providing underwater footage of the diverse habitats, the project aims to enable a broader understanding of the complexity and ecological richness of the area
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Explorers map seafloor off north Jutland coast in Denmark
The team began mapping the seafloor based on anecdotal information from local fishers, as well as old fishing maps. Combining these with new technologies – GPS tracking, an underwater drone and a high-definition camera – the project aims to create a continuously evolving cartographic database in collaboration with the local fishing community
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An area is surveyed by underwater drone filming the bottom habitat
Surveying the seabed with a drone. It can dive to 40 metres, deeper than all the sites being mapped
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Dead man's fingers on the seafloor off Jutland, Denmark
The explorers were surprised by the abundance of dead man’s fingers, the only soft coral found in Danish waters. As a soft organism with no chalk skeleton, the coral is unable to create reef, instead growing in smaller, cartilage-like colonies
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Polyps of dead man's fingers in waters off Jutland, Denmark
Shot closer up, this picture shows the polyps of the dead man’s fingers. Each polyp has eight ‘feeders’ that reach out and filter the water for algae. They are easily scared and retract into the coral if disturbed
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The hand of death coral
The hand of death coral was found at varying depths below 15 metres. It grows in water of high salinity, with little light, and on different kinds of hard-surfaced habitat. It can withstand strong currents
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Explorers Aniella Goldinger and Klaus Thymann prepare a drone and suit up to film underwater in Denmark
After the seafloor is documented by the underwater drone, a scuba diver may film with a bigger camera. Here, Aniella Goldinger and Thymann are preparing the drone and suiting up to film underwater
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Life on the seafloor in Jammerbugten in Jutland, Denmark
Even at depths of 25 metres and in ideal weather conditions, the current is strong, meaning visibility is very limited. This picture shows the diverse, rich life on a seafloor officially categorised as being mostly sand
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Boat net-fishing in waters off Jutland, Denmark
The fragile ecosystem, as well as the livelihood of the local fishing community, is being threatened by large-scale international beam trawlers, which are extensively overfishing in what they call ‘the Danish goldmine’. There is no protection of the area and no legislation distinguishing between high-impact beam trawling and low-impact local fishing methods. This picture shows a local boat net-fishing
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Thorupstrand in Jammerbugten, the last remaining natural commercial fishing landing place
Thorupstrand in Jammerbugten is the last remaining natural commercial fishing landing place in the area, home to a traditional fishing community. The conditions and limitations of the shore have forced the fishers to preserve their traditional low-impact fishing methods
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The blue jellyfish Cyanea lamarckii
The rich habitats of Jammerbugten are not only threatened by foreign beam trawlers, but also rising ocean temperatures. Because of an exceptionally mild winter, the area is seeing a huge increase in the blue jellyfish Cyanea lamarckii
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