The red coral (Corallium rubrum) is a typical Mediterranean species, mainly localised in the Eastern Mediterranean , where its population seems potentially permanent. In the Western Mediterranean, its occurrence is more occasional : Yugoslavian coasts, Aegean Sea. It invades the Atlantic coast at several points : south coast of Portugal, African coasts (Canary Islands, Mauritania, Senegal, Cape Verde Islands). The actual fishing zones are mainly localised along the North African coast, off Corsica (Bonifacio) and off Sardinia. It has a wide bathymetric distribution : from a few metres to about 300metres. In shallower waters it is frequent in grottos and poorly lit overhangs. Deeper down, it is found on underwater cliffs and even on the bottom (Laborel et Vacelet, 1961 ; Zibrowius et al., 1984 ; FAO 1984, 1989).

Other species of precious coral Corallium live in Japanese seas (pink or red coral : C.japonicum, nobile), and Atlantic (white coral : C.johnsoni) ….