Off the coast of southern Australia, scientists have uncovered a new underwater treasure that compares with one of the natural wonders of the world. Officials from Parks Victoria, Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park near Melbourne report that they've found a previously undiscovered reef that rivals the Great Barrier Reef in terms of "its abundance of coral, sponge, and fish," Mashable reports. The Great Barrier Reef, located in Queensland, is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site for its plethora of marine animal and plant life.
An in-depth look at the new reef with a remotely operated vehicle and cameras revealed that, alongside "rich and abundant marine ecosystems that are comparable to Australia's better-known tropical reef areas," there was also an abundance of sponge gardens and corals that one scientist says is a "particularly exciting find." Fish typically rare to the area, such as the Australian barracuda and longsnout boarfish, were also found in the new reef.
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