A cold-water coral reef discovered in Norwegian waters is to be protected by the Oslo government

Called the Tisler reef, and found only last year, it is thought to be more than a thousand years old. It lies in the Skagerrak, along the submarine border between Norway and Sweden. The Skagerrak links the Baltic to the North Sea. WWF, the global environment programme, welcomed Norway's decision and urged other governments to follow suit. The reef is two kilometres (1.25 miles) long, and lies at depths ranging from 74 to 155 metres (240 to 500 feet). It is the only reef known for yellow lophelia corals, which are important for many other species, including sea fans, sponges, worms, starfish and crustaceans. The corals are also valuable spawning and nursery grounds for several fish, including some commercial species like the orange roughy and the grenadier. WWF says the discovery of the Tisler and the decision to protect it came just in time, as parts have already been damaged by trawling.