Report by Aryaa Sinha
Galapagos, Ecuador: A group of scientists found a coral reef thriving deep in the ocean near the Galapagos Islands.
Coral reefs, despite their plant or rock-like appearance underwater, are actually composed of numerous tiny animals that have collectively built them over time. These reefs create favourable conditions that draw and sustain various marine species.
Situated in the eastern Pacific Ocean, the Galapagos Islands form an archipelago that belongs to Ecuador in South America. These islands are located approximately 600 miles (966 kilometers) away from the Ecuadorian coast.
What makes this discovery truly unique is that the reef is in excellent condition and has not been impacted by any human activities, rendering it a rare and “pristine” ecosystem.
Located in the northernmost part of the Galapagos archipelago, near Darwin Island, this vibrant reef has over 50% living coral and is teeming with an incredible diversity of marine life, including various species of fish, lobsters, octopuses, spiky sea urchins, and even sharks and rays.
Using a highly specialized submarine, named Alvin, the scientists were able to explore an unexplored region of the Galapagos and dive more than one-third of a mile below the ocean’s surface. What they found was breathtaking: a thriving and robust coral reef that has most likely existed for thousands of years and has somehow managed to withstand the negative impacts of human activities such as pollution and climate change. The coral seemed to flourish in the cold waters, and the sheer number of live corals on the reef exceeded the scientists’ expectations.
This discovery has significant implications for the conservation of the world’s oceans. It suggests that protected deep-sea coral ecosystems have most likely survived for many centuries in the Galapagos marine reserve’s depths, sustaining abundant and varied marine life that could be exclusive to the region. The finding supports the objectives of the Global Ocean Alliance 30×30, which aims to conserve at least 30% of the planet’s oceans by 2030 and provides further justification for the establishment of marine corridors that effectively govern and preserve the ocean in the region.
The Galapagos archipelago is home to numerous endangered species such as giant tortoises, albatrosses, cormorants, and others, and has played a vital role in Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. However, many of the shallower coral reefs in the region have suffered significant damage due to rising ocean temperatures.
To safeguard migratory species at risk between the Galapagos and Costa Rica’s Cocos Island, Ecuador extended the Galapagos marine reserve by 60,000 square km last year, adding to the existing 138,000 square km area. The nation is also working with its neighboring countries, including Panama, Costa Rica, and Colombia, to establish marine corridor initiatives that seek to protect and govern the ocean in the region.
Images shared by the Environment Minister of Ecuador and by the Galapagos National Park on Twitter