Scientists described the coral reef as “pristine and teeming with life”. The discovery offers hope for the survival of coral reefs in the face of environmental challenges.
Scientists exploring previously unmapped areas of the Galápagos marine reserve discovered a thriving coral reef at a depth of 1,958 ft (600 m).
It was thought that only one surviving reef existed in the area. The discovery offers hope for the deep-water survival of other reefs both in the area and globally.
New coral reef discovered – what scientists found
Dr Michelle Taylor and Dr Stuart Banks explored previously uncharted areas of the Galápagos marine reserve in a submersible. The Human Operated Vehicle (HOV) Alvin allows scientists to explore depths of up to 21,325 ft (6,500 m).
The HOV Alvin has in its arsenal modern sampling technologies and high-definition imaging systems that allow for quality still images and video footage.
At 1,958 ft (600 m), they discovered a “pristine” coral reef system “teeming with life”. Taylor described seeing “pink octopus, batfish, squat lobsters and an array of deep-sea fish, sharks and rays”.
Why it is important – discovery offers hope for coral reefs despite challenges
The discovery is important for a number of reasons. Firstly, an El Niño event in the early 1980s devasted the area. In its aftermath, scientists thought that Wellington Reef, off the coast of Darwin Island, was the only surviving coral reef in the area.
The discovery of this reef with more than 50% living coral shows that it, too, survived the event. It also raises hope that other deep-water coral reefs have survived in the area over centuries, housing diverse marine communities.
The find also represents hope for the survival of coral reefs in the face of climate change. It shows that it is possible for coral reefs to thrive despite the problems that increased ocean temperatures and acidity pose.
Going forward – what the discovery means for the future
Banks explained that the discovery is “very important at a global level because many deep-water systems are degraded”. Taylor added that it will allow scientists to monitor “how pristine habitats evolve with our current climate crisis”.
Ecuador’s environment minister José Antonio Dávalos hailed the country’s marine protection areas (MPAs) and doubled down on plans to introduce more.
“This is encouraging news,” he remarked. “It reaffirms our determination to establish new MPAs in Ecuador and to continue promoting the creation of a regional marine protected area in the eastern tropical Pacific.”
Ecuador works closely with neighbours Panama, Costa Rica, and Colombia on a marine corridor initiative. The initiative aims to protect the region’s marine animals like sharks, turtles, and whales from fishing fleets.
An example of this work is last year’s expansion by 60,000 square km (23,166 square mi) of the Galápagos marine reserve.