Five centuries ago, 500 kilometers from Colombia, sailors discovered Malpelo Island, initially perceived as a castle emerging offshore. In reality, it was just the tip of a submerged mountain ridge stretching over 300 kilometers. At the time, they could never have imagined the richness of oceanic life hidden beneath the surface, over 4000 meters deep. A true breath of wonder!
An exceptional biological treasure
Malpelo belongs to those isolated lands of the Eastern Tropical Pacific, bursting with unique biodiversity. Similar to Darwin and Wolf Islands of the Galápagos and Cocos Island in Costa Rica, Malpelo is a legendary place for divers, explorers, and marine biologists. The formations of the island capture ocean currents, leading to an upwelling of deep, nutrient-rich waters to the surface. Sunlight, combined with these nutrients, promotes the thriving of marine life.
This is particularly why the waters surrounding Malpelo Island are so rich in sharks and large predators. ‘The schools of fish, hammerhead sharks and other species are breathtaking,’ says Dr. Sebastian Troëng, executive vice president at CI (Conservation International). ‘The marine creatures inhabiting these isolated islands are truly unique,’ he adds.
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