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At least 12 new species of fish and coral have been found off Madagascar. A survey of the Indian Ocean there even found one coral the colour of blood which has never before been recorded.
Local fishermen worked with scientists because they are concerned about declining catches.
They hope a better understanding of the ecosystem will lead to controls of migrant fishermen who have been blamed for the decline.
The nine new coral species discovered during the 20-day expedition nearly doubled the number known to live around Madagascar.
The survey was carried out by Conservation International's Centre for Applied Biodiversity Science, which is based in Washington DC.
The centre's Dr Sheila McKenna said: "Madagascar gets a lot of attention for its biodiversity on land but its marine habitats are equally precious and threatened."
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