With more than 1,400 plant and animal species, Cocos Island, in the Costa Rican Pacific, has one of the purest, healthiest, and biologically diverse marine eco-systems on the planet.
This was affirmed by Spanish ecologist Enric Sala, leader of the recent National Geographic expedition to the island and its surroundings, where the underwater mountain, Las Gemelas, is located. The mission was composed of 15 specialized scientists who made numerous daily dives in the national park.
Their conclusion was that,
“Cocos Island is an absolutely wonderful place!”
Their opinion is based on two main factors.
First, there is the highest concentration of large predators, like sharks, in the entire Pacific.
“The estimate is measured in tons of fish per acre, but I prefer not to give an exact number yet,” said Sala.
The point is not only that there are sharks, but that there are so many that are very big and belong to numerous species. Keeping n mind that sharks are at the top of the food chain in oceans, their diverse presence there means there is plenty to feed on and, therefore, the waters around the island have a very healthy eco-system.
The second element is the enormous abundance of small fish, jellyfish, coral, microorganisms, and algae.
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