Science at Sea: Exploring the Deep Waters of Galápagos
Growing up in Ecuador amid extraordinary biodiversity, marine biologist and National Geographic Explorer Ana-Belén Yánez felt drawn to study the ocean. “There was no other path for me,” she says. Today, she studies deep-sea chondrichthyans—sharks, rays and chimeras—in the Galápagos, including species never before observed there. As a Visiting Scientist aboard the National Geographic Islander II, she deploys a deep-sea camera by Zodiac to document marine life and measure environmental conditions, then analyzes the data in the Science Hub and shares her findings with guests. In this video, see how support from the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Fund brings the Galápagos deep sea into focus through Yanez’s research—and brings guests closer to the science unfolding beneath the surface.
