Sea Fan
Sea Fan · Gorgonian
Gorgonian coral polyp — species identification unknown (no definitive claim)
A branching coral polyp (gorgonian) that spreads out in a fan shape. It attaches to current-swept offshore walls and rock, epitomizing the cold, deep offshore environment of Ulleung·Dokdo.
Fan-shaped colonies on offshore walls
A branching coral polyp (gorgonian) that spreads in a fan shape. It grows attached to current-swept offshore walls and rock, forming colonies alongside black coral on high-visibility walls. The species is unidentified.
Ulleung·Dokdo high-visibility walls
A sessile organism that epitomizes the cold, deep offshore walls and rock of Ulleung·Dokdo. On current-swept walls with 20–40 m visibility, it blends with black-coral colonies.
Where to encounter the sea fan
Some gorgonian corals are designated as protected marine species, but because this ‘sea fan’ is not identified to species, whether the individual species is protected needs to be verified (verify needed). Avoid contact while diving.
- The ‘sea fan’ is unidentified to species — do not assert whether it is a protected species such as the blunt gorgonian (dunhan-jinchong-sanho).