Oceana was part of the expedition team led by scientists from University of the Philippines Los Baños and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources who explored Benham Bank in May 2016, revealing vast and pristine coral reef ecosystem in the area. Scientists observed 100% coral cover in the surveyed area, with a wide variety of colorful branching and plate corals. The expedition team also documented a vast mesophotic reef ecosystem – coral reefs found at depths of up to 150 meters (492 feet).
Watch the video to see the stunning footages of Benham Bank! It is truly a treasure that we must protect because it is a part of Philippine territory and it is a spawning area of the Pacific bluefin tuna – one of the most expensive fish in the world!