Recently, researchers and NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) discovered a new species of deep-sea coral off the Northern California coast.

On Wednesday, NOAA announced that a research team using small submersibles discovered the coral near national marine sanctuaries off the coast of Sonoma County in September.

The coral (genus Leptogorgia) was found about 600 feet deep in underwater canyons close to the Gulf of Farallones and Cordell Bank national marine sanctuaries.

“Studying these life forms helps determine the ecological importance of deep sea communities and the threats they face,” Farallones sanctuary’s manager said.

The scientists revealed that during research we also found a “highly unusual” nursery area for catsharks and skates.