Underwater mountains, diamond sharks and still unknown species: the secrets of the Peruvian North Sea that scientists are exploring

In July 2025, a group of scientists led by marine biologist Yuri Hooker, under the auspices and support of the Peruvian Society of Environmental Law (SPDA), began an expedition in which they managed to obtain unprecedented information about marine life in the area of ​​influence of the mountain ranges deep Grijalva, Alvarado and Sarmiento, located off the coasts of Tumbes, Piura and Lambayeque. In it, they used the BRUVS method for the first time in Peru, and captured impressive video images of the diversity on the surface of these mountain ranges.

During the outings, the group used the BRUVS method (Baited Remote Underwater Video Stations) to analyze and record species and ecosystems in this sector. This method, applied for the first time in Peru, consists of submerging a metal structure that has a video camera and an arm anchored with a net or bag full of bait that, when positioned, attracts various species, allowing pelagic species such as sharks, rays or large fish that usually avoid human contact to be recorded.

“With this first expedition we can get closer to understanding how life develops in these fragile and vital ecosystems for humanity. In addition, the use of BRUVS has provided information to evaluate and estimate the health of marine ecosystems through the presence of large predators, such as sharks or rays”says Jimpson Dávila, director of Marine Governance of the SPDA.

Thanks to the use of this technique, scientists were able to obtain impressive images of sharks for the first time in Peru, including a diamond shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) in its natural habitat. Furthermore, in preliminary results, Hooker points out that there would be species not yet recorded in our sea that would inhabit this area. These will be known in a publication that will be released soon and that would allow future research and conservation efforts.