Off the coast of Easter Island (Rapa Nui) in Chile, an exciting new discovery has taken place in the much-ignored regions of the Salas y Gómez Ridge. During a recent voyage led by the Schmidt Ocean Institute, researchers stumbled upon a captivating assortment of marine life, identifying more than 50 previously unknown species in a zone that continues to surprise scientists, stretching 2,900 kilometers underwater.
Unveiling A Hidden World
The daring expedition didn’t just last a couple of days—it took place over a 40-day period from February to April 2024! A truly global cast of 25 scientists from 14 countries gathered for this huge endeavor. They explored the seamounts of the Salas y Gómez Ridge, an underexplored domain of the Pacific Ocean. Onboard, the team recorded a total of around 160 species, blinking in surprise as they spotted 50 to 60 who might be brand new, in just the initial observations.
The species highlighted in their findings range from deep-sea corals to squid, glass sponges, iridescent fish, sea stars, crabs, and squat lobsters—basically creatures that have never crossed the eyes of humanity before! According to researcher Ariadna Mechó from the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, “We have found between 50 and 60 potentially new species at first sight, and we’re excited as we’ve got loads more samples to analyze—who knows how many more we’ll uncover?”
These astounding discoveries really underline just how much is still unknown about Easter Island’s deep-sea ecosystems. The expedition’s kleos shows the importance of shining a light on these unchartered waters.
Learning and Collaborate for Conservation
This impressive mission brought together minds from various countries, including Chile, the USA, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands. It was a significant milestone as it marked the involvement of a local marine biologist from Rapa Nui, Emilia Ra’na Palma Tuki, who recently graduated from Chile’s Universidad Católica del Norte. Emilia joined the group of seasoned experts to help explore these stunning underwater landscapes.
Perhaps more than just cataloging species, their goal was about understanding the ecosystems at play on particular seamounts. The sites they examined were rich in unique environments like dazzling glass sponge gardens and vibrant coral reefs.
For the Future of Marine Protection
This haul of findings could greatly influence how marine conservation is approached in the area. Dr. Javier Sellanes from Universidad Católica del Norte and a co-leader of this mission shared his excitement: “The astonishing habitats and animal communities unearthed during these expeditions illustrate a stark reminder of how little we grasp about this overlooked region.”
The data gathered is not just a collection of numbers—it’s meant to inform better management strategies for marine protected areas (MPAs) in Chile. As their research continues, the hope is to pave the way for the establishment of new MPAs extending safety nets around Rapa Nui and critical spots around the Salas y Gómez Ridge.
Addressing the topic, Chief Scientist Dr. Erin E. Easton from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley insisted on the necessity of observing the entirety of the ridge. “Each seamount has its own unique ecosystems, so we must preserve the whole ridge, not just bits and pieces,” she noted.
