Røst Reef
World's largest known deep-water coral reef, discovered in 2002.
The Røst Reef, also called Røstrevet in Norwegian, is a deep-water coral formation off the coast of Nordland county, near the Lofoten islands. It was first found in 2002, roughly 100 kilometers west of the island of Røstlandet. Stretching about 43 kilometers in length and up to 6.9 kilometers wide, it is built by the coral species *Lophelia pertusa*. This makes it the largest known *Lophelia* reef in the world, as well as the largest known deep-water coral reef overall. The water temperature near its bottom sits at 2 °C. The WWF considers the reef a global natural heritage site that deserves protection as a Marine Protected Area (MPA). Authorities have already put rules in place to shield it from trawling.
The reef’s structure comes entirely from *Lophelia pertusa*, which filters plankton from deep-water currents for energy. This coral hosts a rich community of marine life, from plankton to fish, and is associated with creatures like anemones and jellyfish. The reef provides food, hiding spots, nurseries, and a solid surface for many invertebrates—such as worms, starfish, and lobsters—as well as vertebrates like fish. Research by the Institute of Marine Research at Storegga, Norway, found that areas with *Lophelia* have significantly higher densities of cusk (*Brosme brosme*) and redfish (*Sebastes marinus*) compared to the surrounding seabed.
Only a tiny fraction of the Røst Reef has been examined, but what has been seen suggests it remains largely intact. Video inspections have revealed many entangled lines and nets on the reef. According to the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries, nets and lines are the most common fishing gear used on and around the reef. Trawling happens in both the northern and southern parts of the coral area, and to a lesser extent east of it. A future threat could come from oil and gas development, since the reef lies within the “Nordland VI” petroleum block, considered promising by energy companies. No licenses were granted in that block during the latest round, as the Norwegian Ministry of Oil and Energy wanted more information—including possible measures to protect coral reefs—before allowing further activity. Little is known about how oil and gas exploration affects *Lophelia* colonies. Infrastructure could physically destroy reefs or stress them with extra sediment.
- Discovery year
- 2002
- Location
- Off the coast of the Lofoten islands, Nordland county, Norway
- Distance from røstlandet
- 100 km (62 mi) west
- Length
- 43 km (27 mi)
- Width
- up to 6.9 km (4.3 mi)
- Coral species
- Lophelia pertusa
- Bottom water temperature
- 2 °C
Lore & Background
The Røst Reef was discovered in 2002, about 100 kilometres west of the island of Røstlandet. It extends over a length of about 43 kilometers and has a width of up to 6.9 kilometers. The reef is generated by the coral Lophelia pertusa, which is a filter feeder that collects plankton from deep water currents. Lophelia is associated with anemones, jellyfish, and other animals, and provides a habitat for many invertebrates and fishes, including worms, starfish, lobsters, cusk, and redfish. Studies have shown a significantly higher density of cusk and redfish in Lophelia areas compared to the surrounding seabed. The temperature of the waters near the bottom of the reef is 2 °C.
Reader's Guide
The Røst Reef is notable as the world's largest known Lophelia reef and the world's largest known deep-water coral reef. Only a very small portion of the reef has been inspected, and observations indicate it is largely intact, though a significant number of entangled lines and nets were observed. Nets and lines are the most common fishing equipment used on and around the reef, and trawling activities take place in the northern and southern parts of the coral area. To protect the reef from damaging fishery activities, a proposal to amend the 1999 Coral Regulation is being considered, which would protect the reef and a 5 km zone from all fishing using equipment that may touch the bottom. However, the reef remains unprotected from potential petroleum activities, as it lies within the Nordland VI petroleum block. No licences have been granted in this block due to a need for more information. WWF recognizes the Røst Reef as a global natural heritage that merits protection through Marine Protected Area status, and proposes a zone prohibiting petroleum activities. The Norwegian Nature Conservation Act does not apply beyond territorial waters, so the reef cannot be protected as a nature reserve.
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