Reserva nacional Dorsal de Nasca, Marine protected area off the coast of Ica, Peru
The Reserva Nacional Dorsal de Nasca is a protected marine area off the coast of Ica. The reserve spans about 62,000 square kilometers of ocean and protects underwater mountain ranges that sit between 1,800 to 4,000 meters deep.
The reserve was established on June 5, 2021, marking Peru's first fully marine protected area. Its creation significantly increased the nation's marine protection status.
The waters connect with old fishing traditions of Peru's coastal communities that have used these seas for generations. Today the area also serves as a place for research and environmental education.
The area lies about 105 kilometers from the Peruvian coast and cannot be visited from land. Information comes from Peruvian marine authorities or research organizations that study the region.
The underwater mountains harbor over 1,100 marine species, many found nowhere else in the world. About 40 percent of the fish species and roughly 45 percent of the invertebrates are found only in this area.
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