Divers on a remote marine reserve off Baja California Sur, Mexico, were surprised when they suddenly found themselves surrounded by yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares).
“This video captures one of the most exhilarating – and unexpected – dives of my life” says Andi Cross, expedition lead at Edges of Earth. The team had travelled offshore for 30 hours to cover the nearly 250 miles to a small island in the Revillagigedo Archipelago called Roca Partida when they came across the huge school.
“We descended into what initially seemed like an ordinary biodiversity monitoring dive, only to be enveloped by massive schools of yellowfin tuna, says Cross. “First came the juveniles, moving in synchronised formations, followed by the adults – some the size of my entire body!”
As well as being a breathtaking experience, this encounter “was proof that the marine reserve is doing exactly what it was designed to do: protect and restore balance to marine ecosystems,” she says.
Like many other animals in the ocean, tuna have been severely affected by overfishing, pollution, habitat destruction and other human impacts. “Before the Revillagigedo Archipelago was designated as a marine protected reserve in 2017, schools of tuna like this were almost non-existent here,” says Cross. “Seeing such a large, thriving population within a protected area is extraordinary.”
Tuna are migratory species – crossing entire oceans – so, although local reserves like this are hugely important, global protections are needed too. “Conservation works when it’s built on science, adequate funding, community commitment, and strong enforcement.”
Main image and video credit: Edges of Earth Expedition, www.edgesofearth.com
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