Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary, Columbia

This sanctuary is located in the Pacific Ocean approximately 506 km from the west coast of Colombia. The island has an area of only 3.5 km², but its peripheral marine protection area covers 8,571 km². This large marine park is the largest closed fishing reserve in the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean and provides an important habitat for internationally endangered marine species. The abundant nutrient resources have laid a solid foundation for the enrichment of marine biodiversity. It is a unique ‘gene bank’ for sharks, giant groupers and long-billed fish, and it is one of the few places in the world where short-nosed rough-toothed sharks and deepwater sharks can be found. The environment created by steep cliffs, natural caves, and deepwater resources nourishes large groups of marine predators and pelagic fish. Because there are no traces of human interference, the marine animals maintain their natural behavioural patterns. This sanctuary is therefore also recognised as the world’s top...