The first deep-sea coral reefs have been found within the Galápagos Marine Reserve (GMR), according to scientists on the Galápagos Deep 2023 expedition. Researchers discovered the reefs, thought centuries old, within the GMR, which was established in 1998. Before the discovery, Wellington Reef off Darwin Island was thought to be the only coral reef in the region to have survived the 1982-83 El Niño event. The new find has raised hopes that other unexplored reef structures may exist in the GMR. The US National Science Foundation and the UK’s Natural Environmental Research Council supported the expedition.

The first reef was observed by scientists using the deep-sea research submersible Alvin at a depth of 400-600m. The reef is situated at the summit of a seamount in the central part of the archipelago and supports a variety of marine life. The researchers said the pristine reefs are of global significance. They may serve as a benchmark for other reefs worldwide, allowing scientists to monitor the evolution of such habitats with the impact of climate change.

The expedition was led by scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the University of Bristol, Boise State University, and the University of Essex, collaborating with the Galápagos National Park Directorate, the Charles Darwin Foundation, and the Ecuadorian Navy’s Oceanographic and Antarctic Institute. Speaking about the discovery, Dr. Stuart Banks, Senior Marine Researcher at the Charles Darwin Foundation, said that it provides crucial reference points to understand the role of the reefs in providing goods and services such as carbon cycling and fisheries.

The discovery comes at a time when the countries of Panama, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Ecuador are collaborating through a regional Marine Corridor initiative to protect and responsibly manage the ocean. The research also provides data to inform practical conservation actions. The GMR covers more than 95% of the known Galápagos Marine Reserve, but less than 5% of it has been explored through modern research expeditions. The scientists believe other unexplored reef structures may be at different depths waiting to be explored.

References

• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. (2023, April 17). Scientists Aboard R/V Atlantis Discover Pristine Deep-Sea Coral Reefs in the Galápagos Marine Reserve. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. https://www.whoi.edu/press-room/news-release/scientists-aboard-r-v-atlantis-discover-pristine-deep-sea-coral-reefs-in-the-galapagos-marine-reserve/