What makes Malpelo special

Recognition of Malpelo’s global significance:

UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006 in recognition of its status as “a critical habitat for internationally threatened marine species”.

The IUCN World Heritage Outlook page on Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary is here:
http://www.worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/search-sites/-/wdpaid/en/902899

International Maritime Organisation – 1 of 15 Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas

Following the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, the International Maritime Organization established a list of “Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas” in which large commercial vessels are prohibited, in order to minimize and eliminate the risk of catastrophic environmental disasters. Malpelo is one of the world’s 15 PSSA’s.

 

Magical Malpelo – A Photographic Survey by Thomas Kotouc

Thankyou Thomas Kotouc for the amazing photography – www.divetime.com/photos/Featured/Tomas_Kotouc/

Further Reading:

Regional political developments in ETPS

“President of Colombia to expand Protection in Malpelo”
www.mission-blue.org/2016/10/president-of-colombia-to-expand-protection-in-the-malpelo-hope-spot/

“Three Nations Create Giant Reserves for Ocean Life”
news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/09/new-marine-highways-announced/

Trophic cascades effect on blue carbon ecosystems and climate change

Numerous recent scientific articles point to the effect of removing top predators from ecosystems.

“Ocean predators can help reset our planet’s thermostat”
theconversation.com/ocean-predators-can-help-reset-our-planets-thermostat-47937

“Blue Carbon”
www.conservation.org/projects/Pages/mitigating-climate-change-on-coasts-blue-carbon.aspx

“Ocean predators help to prevent climate change”
crrlj.org/research/stories/2015/09/30/ocean-predators-help-to-prevent-climate-change

“It’s a TRAP! Predators help trap carbon in coastal sediments”
oceanbites.org/its-a-trap-predators-help-trap-carbon-in-coastal-sediments/

Some Diving Videos: