23 JANUARY 1998. ECUADOR (GALAPAGOS): MARINE EFFECTS

The EnviroNews Service reports that while there is little evidence of increased mortality, few birds are breeding. Waved albatrosses, penguins and flightless cormorants are not breeding. Sea lions and fur seals have abandoned their normal haulouts and are present in unusual areas. Hammerhead sharks have moved deeper in the water column and there are marked changes in fish communities. Red algae is becoming rarer, which may affect the marine iguanas which feed on them. Coral bleaching is occurring.-- EnviroLink News Service <newsdesk@envirolink.org>