Endangered turtles, sharks, and manta rays now have more room to roam in the pristine waters of the Galápagos Islands. In January 2022, Ecuador’s President Guillermo Lasso decreed a new marine reserve called Hermandad—“Brotherhood”—in the volcanic island chain famous for its impressive, unusual biodiversity.

The newly declared reserve will be free of fishing, and adds more than 23,000 square miles to the existing 53,000 of the Galápagos Marine Reserve. The expansion will help protect a vital underwater corridor or “ocean highway” used by millions of sea creatures (some of which are threatened or endangered) to migrate between the Galápagos, Costa Rica’s Cocos Island, and other oceanic enclaves around Panama and Colombia. Silky sharks and scalloped hammerheads are some of the species that really stand to benefit—at risk of industrial and illegal fishing during their lengthy migrations.

Atlas Obscura invites you to check out some of the fascinating inhabitants of the marine world of the Galápagos.

Just south of Marchena Island is a dive spot known to locals as the "fish arena," featuring large schools.
Just south of Marchena Island is a dive spot known to locals as the “fish arena,” featuring large schools. Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Spotted eagle rays travel near Wolf Island.
Spotted eagle rays travel near Wolf Island. Reinhard Dirscherl\ullstein bild via Getty Images
Aerial view showing sea turtles swimming as park rangers monitor these reptiles in Floreana Island, in the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean.
Aerial view showing sea turtles swimming as park rangers monitor these reptiles in Floreana Island, in the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean. RODRIGO BUENDIA/AFP via Getty Images
Pinnacle Rock is a celebrated volcanic plug on Bartolomé Island.
Pinnacle Rock is a celebrated volcanic plug on Bartolomé Island. Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Marine iguanas gather on rocks near the fishermen's pier in Puerto Ayora.
Marine iguanas gather on rocks near the fishermen’s pier in Puerto Ayora. Johis Alarcon/Bloomberg via Getty Images
This baby sea lion is having his first encounter with a human on North Seymour Island.
This baby sea lion is having his first encounter with a human on North Seymour Island. Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
A blue-footed booby sits on a rock in Floreana Island.
A blue-footed booby sits on a rock in Floreana Island. RODRIGO BUENDIA/AFP via Getty Images
A red rock crab crawls onto Isabela Island.
A red rock crab crawls onto Isabela Island. RODRIGO BUENDIA/AFP via Getty Images
Two Galápagos penguins rub beaks.
Two Galápagos penguins rub beaks. Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Bartolomé Island has vibrant colors above the waters, in addition to below them.
Bartolomé Island has vibrant colors above the waters, in addition to below them. Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images