There’s been a virtual explosion of news concerning the recent discovery of an underwater volcano in the Caribbean that is home to a rich diversity of marine life, some of which had been heretofore unexplained by scientists. During two weeks in January, divers braved 12-foot-seas to plunge 100 feet underwater around Saba Bank Atoll, 150 miles south-east of Puerto Rico. (At 850 square miles, it’s the largest atoll in the Caribbean and the world’s third largest.) Before the expedition, only 35 species of fish had been documented in the region, but during their dives, researchers counted a total of 200 species of fish. They also discovered two new fish – both gobies – and found vast "seaweed cities" that are home to at least 20 new species of algae, which form the basis for marine ecosystems.

Saba Bank consists of a mountain (25 feet below the surface) crowned with a ring of actively growing coral reefs. No island exists immediately nearby, so the area has not suffered the same degradation as other inhabited areas. However (of course), there’s already trouble in paradise: the researchers claim oil tankers in the area threaten the fragile reefs. Evidently, in order to avoid mooring fees, the tankers anchor on the bank, damaging the reef. Consequently, to stop the damage and protect the atoll, the researchers are attempting to get the Saba Bank designated a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) by the International Maritime Organization. Now, much like the residents at Guana Cay, the local population is fired up to protect their rich natural resource.

[Thanks, Drew!]