Antibiotic potential of coral and sponge off west coast

Marine scientists have found new coral species and a rare sponge reef off the coast which, it is hoped, could even lead to the discovery of new antibiotics.

The scientists used the Marine Institute’s remotely-operated vehicle Holland 1 to capture, what they say, is a number of firsts in Irish waters. They spent three weeks at sea on the ILV Granuaile investigating Ireland’s deep ocean 480km off the west coast.

“This is the first time I have seen a sponge reef like this in nearly 20 years of studying the deep north east Atlantic,” said Kerry Howell of Plymouth University.