Diving Colombia - Islas del Rosario

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Videos from 4 dive sites (indicated in video) on the south side of Islas del Rosario, Colombian Caribbean, recorded 18-19 February 2023. Despite proximity to Cartagena and sediment loads from nearby river mouths and canals, these reefs have high living coral cover! Coral disease is present (6:20), and there is plenty of evidence of past coral loss, but coral health looks relatively good compared to other Caribbean reefs. Notice the high high abundance of sponges on these reefs, with many very large giant barrel sponges (10:50). Also, these sites are remarkably free of emergent (branching or fan shaped) gorgonian corals, which are highly abundant on most Caribbean reefs. Thanks to Drs. Sven Zea and Monica Puyana for hosting these dives using Diving Planet - Centro de Buceo.