Local expertise meets global science: the first complete genome of endangered sea cucumber advances marine conservation in Galápagos

The Eastern Tropical Pacific conceals extraordinary, vast deep-ocean ecosystems, plunging from oceanic islands to depths of 3,800 meter, most of which remain largely unexplored, presenting real challenges for effective protection and management. Despite their significance, these ecosystems are poorly understood and subject to persistent threats, including overfishing, climate change, pollution, and the prospect for deep-sea mining.

A groundbreaking study across seven marine protected areas in the Eastern Tropical Pacific reveals thriving shark and predator populations in remote island MPAs like Galapagos and Malpelo, while coastal reserves are severely depleted. Discover what this means for ocean protection, why it matters, and the urgent actions scientists recommend.

Floreana Island, heavily impacted by introduced species and biodiversity loss, now hosts one of Galápagos’ most ambitious restoration efforts. With a small community and 54 species still threatened, the Floreana Ecological Restoration Project aims to recover the island’s ecological balance through the removal of invasive species and the return of native wildlife.