Seco de los Olivos: Overview Located in front of the coast of
Almeria (southeast Spain), the Chella Bank (Seco de los Olivos
in Spanish) is a seamount whose top is found at a depth of 80
metres. It is a set of elevations that houses a very rich
biodiversity, including deep-sea coral reefs, cetaceans, sharks
and lots of fish. Oceana is responsible for documenting this
area as a partner of the LIFE+ INDEMARES project of the European
Union, with the objective of turning it into a protected marine
area within the Natura 2000 Network. In the frame of this
project, Oceana has obtained never before seen images of the
bank with an underwater robot (ROV). As well as these videos,
which reach 600 metres depth, the on board diaries which are
identified with the logo LIFE+ INDEMARES illustrate the main
findings of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 expeditions and also explain
the threats presented by aggressive fishing and rubbish. Oceana
first documented Chella Bank in 2006 and the following year
found in these waters the first c