coral

The mega coral - which is a collection of many connected, tiny creatures that together form one organism rather than a reef - could be more than 300 years old.

Seeing the coral, which is in the Solomon Islands, was like seeing a "cathedral underwater", he said.

This specimen was found in deeper waters than some coral reefs, which may have protected it from higher temperatures at the sea surface.

Mr Manemahaga said that more finance for the Solomon Islands would help the country create more varied jobs that would mean fewer people worked in industries that damage coral reefs.

Currently logging is a major part of the country's economy - between 50-70% of the country's annual export revenue - but it cauuses high levels of water pollution that damages coral in the area.