March 21, 2025
Oceana’s work: Exploring and protecting El Hierro
El Hierro, the southernmost, westernmost, and youngest island of the Canary Islands (Spain), is a volcanic wonder rising from the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. While 90% of its structure lies submerged, its waters are teeming with extraordinary marine biodiversity. Oceana has long recognized the ecological importance of these well conserved ecosystems, conducting research to uncover their secrets and engaging with local, national decision makers, and the media to advocate for their protection.
The Call for Protection
Oceana’s first expedition to El Hierro took place in 2009, aiming to document the island’s marine life and assess its protection needs. Given its strategic location, El Hierro serves as a vital stop for many migratory species. This richness in biodiversity, along with the presence of vulnerable species, underlines the need for strong marine protection.
In 2011, following a significant underwater volcanic eruption in the south of El Hierro, Oceana called for the establishment of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) to support the ecosystems’ recovery and ensure long-term conservation.
Uncovering the Hidden Depths
Using a combination of divers and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), Oceana’s 2014 expedition explored previously uncharted waters, documenting an astonishing array of marine life.
Among these were siphonophores, jellyfish, and ctenophores drifting through the currents, alongside deep-sea sharks such as the kitefin, the sand tiger, and the blacktip shark. At shallower depths of around 50 metres, lush algae communities flourished in the sunlight, while deeper regions revealed striking black coral gardens and fields of red calcareous algae.
Descending further, Oceana’s ROV captured footage of rarely seen species such as gardens of black coral that stretched down to 800 metres into total darkness. The team also observed dense aggregations of rock sponges, which provide essential habitat for other marine organisms.
A Sanctuary for Rare and Endangered Species
El Hierro’s waters serve as a refuge for numerous endangered species. Migratory cetaceans, turtles, and sharks, including the hammerhead shark, the elusive angel shark, and even the massive whale shark is known to frequent the area. Additionally, Oceana documented key species such as the dusky grouper and the devil ray, further highlighting the region’s ecological significance.
One of the most remarkable findings was the documentation of exceptionally rare species, such as Dolichopteryx longipes, a transparent, six-eyed deep-sea fish never recorded before. The Oceana crew also captured footage of the tripod fish and the avocet snipe eel; creatures rarely seen anywhere in the world. Additional discoveries included leather urchins, carnivorous sponges, and the documented spawning of the oceanic puffer, a rare event in marine research.
El Hierro: A Hub for Marine Science and Conservation
Oceana’s work in the region has not only contributed to understanding its underwater world but has also reinforced the call for granting the area the highest level of conservation protection. We continue campaigning, engaging with stakeholders and policy makers, to ensure coherent management of the future park, respecting the traditional and sustainable activities that islanders have been carrying out and that have allowed to sustain the outstanding natural values up until now. If everything goes as planned El Hierro will become the first exclusively marine national park in Spain and southern Europe. By advocating for robust protection, Oceana aims to ensure that El Hierro remains a sanctuary for marine life, safeguarding its deep-sea corals, migratory species, and extraordinary biodiversity for future generations.
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