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The Galápagos Marine ecoregion is highly productive and, for a marine ecosystem, has an unusually large number of endemic species. Many species here have evolved in unusual ways. Even before English naturalist Charles Darwin reached the Galápagos Islands in 1835, he may have noticed the diverse life that thrived in the surrounding seas. This ecoregion is a relatively unspoiled ecological and evolutionary treasure trove.
The Galápagos Islands lie nearly 600 miles (1,000 km) west of Ecuador. Most of the species that exist on the islands and in the seas around them have been here for thousands of years. The Galápagos Marine ecoregion is home to species of animals from both the eastern and central regions of the Pacific Ocean, and many species, such as the flightless cormorant, are endemic. Several inhabitants of this region live on the islands’ rocky coasts and in the sea, including the California sea lion, the endemic Galápagos fur seal, and Galápagos penguins. The only known marine iguanas in the world, which average nearly 50 inches (128 cm) in length, swim beneath the surface and nibble seaweed from underwater rocks. Another unusual creature, the flightless cormorant, swims swiftly through the water in search of fish, using its stubby wings as flippers. Green turtles and large sunfish paddle about while fin, sei, minke, humpback, killer, and false killer whales swim nearby. An endemic black coral is also found here.
Reefs are harmed by human activities, especially the harvesting of marine resources such as sharks, lobster, and black coral. Overfishing is a major threat to the ecoregion. And tourism and recreation could cause problems if they aren't properly regulated.
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