Saba Bank, Submarine atoll in Caribbean Sea, Netherlands
Saba Bank is a submarine atoll in the Caribbean Sea, formed by a limestone platform that rises dramatically from the ocean floor. The site extends across a vast area, creating distinct underwater zones where different marine species thrive at various depths.
Fishing regulations were established in the 1990s by Dutch Caribbean authorities to protect the area and restrict foreign vessel access. These rules marked the beginning of formal protection for the submarine environment.
Marine researchers conduct regular expeditions to study the bank's biodiversity, documenting over 200 fish species and multiple whale populations.
Strict no-anchoring rules protect the underwater environment from damage caused by boats and other vessels. Visitors planning to access the area should understand these maritime regulations before entering the protected zone.
The area contains more than twenty deep underwater sinkholes scattered across the seafloor, with some extending beyond 375 meters in depth. These geological features are rare and reveal the dramatic topology hidden beneath the water's surface.
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