Caribbean Reef Shark

Photo: Rafi Amar · CC BY-NC

Caribbean reef sharks patrol the blue water along the outer face of Arrecife del Medio, occasionally sweeping in close to the wall before returning to mid-water. They are the apex predators of this reef system and their presence is a strong indicator of ecosystem health — Caribbean reefs without sharks show cascading effects including overgrown algae and depleted fish populations. The Rosario Islands national park status has maintained a resident population of seven to fifteen individuals that regulars recognise by fin markings.