Galapagos-The sharkiest place on the planet. Science says so.

Northern Galápagos Islands Home to World’s Largest Shark Biomass

To say Galapagos is the sharkiest place on the planet is not hyperbole. A 2 year study results are that Darwin and Wolf have the largest biomass of sharks in the world. There are 17.5 tons of sharks per hectare (2.47 acres). Cocos Island came in second with half that many. The study also found that reef fish populations had declined due to overfishing, so the Galapagos Marine Reserve expanded to include protection at Darwin and Wolf.  Read the full study for yourself here.

I have to stop now and say, “See why scientific data is so very important to protect our marine life?” With  little effort, you can make a big difference by helping the scientists who are always at the forefront of conservation in Galapagos. You can help by doing 2 fun and easy things:

• Use the Shark Count app.
• Submit your whale shark photos to the global whale shark database.
• Find the details on how to get Shark Count and submit photo here. 

Only in Galapagos can you dive with 18 m / 60 ft Whale sharks and massive schools of pre-historic looking Hammerheads, the largest Galapagos sharks anywhere and silky sharks on the same dive! 

As if that wasn’t thrilling enough, only in Galapagos can you dive with the sheer abundance of species that are here. See pelagic species like Dolphins, Penguins, Orcas, Mola Molas, Giant Mantas, Eagle Rays, Golden Rays, Stingrays, Turtles, Penguins, Barracudas and Jacks.  See many tropical reef species like Moorish Idols, Parrotfish, Pufferfish, Cornetfish, Butterfly fish, Hawkfish and more.  See unique critters like the endemic Marine Iguanas and Red-Lipped Batfish.  See 3 species of sea turtles in Galapagos. See sea lions and fur seals. And that doesn’t begin to cover all you will see!

Galapagos was the first site to be inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1978. The site was further expanded in 2001 to include the Galápagos Marine Reserve.

“The Galapagos Marine Reserve is an underwater wildlife spectacle with abundant life ranging from corals to sharks to penguins to marine mammals. No other site in the world can offer the experience of diving with such a diversity of marine life forms that are so familiar with human beings, that they accompany divers.” …UNESCO