Lophelia Pertusa

To breathe underwater is one of the most fascinating
and peculiar sensations imaginable.
Tec Clark

    Coral reefs along the coast of Norway are most often found at a depth of 200-400 metres. In the Trondheimsfjord, you find several coral reefs less than 50 meters deep, this is also unique in an international context.

    The coral reefs in the Trondheimsfjord are spectacular and beautiful. The reefs also constitute a very important ecological function in the Trondheimsfjord. In particular, the reefs in connection with Skarnsundet and Tautra are particularly interesting biologically.

   These coral reefs are found in very shallow waters and hold the world record for the shallowest occurrence of the stony coral Lophelia Pertusa. The Tauter Ridge (“Tauterryggen”)  was protected as a marine protected area in 2013 and Skarnsundet is now proposed as a marine protected area in the Trondheimsfjord.

    It is believed that over 700 different species live in and around such reefs, and some of these are completely dependent on the coral reefs to survive. 

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