The Sea of Grau o The Peruvian Sea, as it is also frequently called, is nothing other than the region of the Pacific Ocean that Peru touches and over which this country exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction. It is an area with very peculiar characteristics, thanks to which it has very rich ecosystems.
If you want to know more about the riches of the Peruvian sea, keep reading us in this Green Ecologist article in which we talk about the Peruvian sea, its characteristics, animals and much more.
Peruvian sea: main characteristics
The first thing that must be said about the Sea of Grau is that it is not a sea itself, but a Pacific Ocean strip stretching 200 miles to the west. It is not, therefore, a sea in the geographical sense, but one in political terms.
The Peruvian Sea is further divided into two large regions, the northern and the central-southern. The first covers the territory between Boca de Capones and the Illescas Peninsula. It has bluer waters and has a higher salinity due to the more tropical climate in which it is located. The central-southern region, on the other hand, runs from Illescas to the border with neighboring Chile. It has greener waters and is of lower salinity, in addition to being biologically richer.
The Sea of Grau is also in an area affected by a complex system of ocean currents, among which are the Peruvian or Humboldt Current and the Child Current, as well as others of less importance.
Peruvian or Grau Sea Temperature
Due to the unique influence that the waters of the Peruvian Sea receive from the Humboldt Current, its temperature is much lower than it should be taking into account its tropical situation. This means that, despite the fact that the waters of the Peruvian Sea should have an approximate temperature of 25ºC or 26ºC taking into account its latitude, they actually have a average temperature of only 18.2ºC.
However, this temperature is also not stable over its entire surface. The northern region has a higher temperature in its waters, while the central-southern region, more affected by the Humboldt Current, has lower temperatures.
Peruvian sea animals - outstanding fauna
As we have already said, the waters of the Peruvian Sea are very rich in biodiversity, and in them we can find a great diversity of fauna. These are some of the Peruvian sea animals most prominent.
Humboldt penguin
One cannot, for example, speak of the Sea of Grau without mentioning the Humboldt penguin. This species of bird, which is in danger of extinction, reaches up to 70 centimeters in height and is found on Foca Island. It is a bird that is practically a symbol of the country, and which is known for its ability to jump up rocks. Other sea birds of Grau They are the guanay, the booby, the gannet and the silly bird.
Spiny porpoise
In its waters there are also several cetaceans, one of the most representative of the area being the spiny porpoise, which inhabits shallow waters. This timid character and approximately 150 centimeters long, this cetacean is protected, but despite this, almost 2000 specimens are lost each year due to illegal fishing and exploitation practices.
Leatherback turtle
The leatherback turtle should not be forgotten either, the largest freshwater turtle that currently exists, which can measure more than 2 meters and weigh up to 700 kg. The population of this uniquely important reptile is also in a negative trend, meaning that there are fewer and fewer, and it is estimated that it could disappear completely in a few decades.
In this other article we clarify a common question about this species: Is the leatherback turtle in danger of extinction?
Mollusks
In addition, the region has a large number of mollusks, such as woolly, fan shells, black shells and machas.
Peruvian sea fish
The waters of the Sea of Grau are also home to a great diversity of fish, some of which are the following:
- Anchovy
- Blue shark
- Tuna
- Beautiful
- Mackerel
- Mackerel
- Guitar fish
Flora of the Peruvian sea
The biological wealth of the Sea of Grau it is not limited to fauna; It has a large number of plant species that are worth mentioning. These are some of the most important species of the peruvian sea flora:
Mococho or yuyo
This red algae is widely used for human consumption in Peru. It is eaten fresh, for example in salads, and is very rich in calcium, magnesium and phosphorus.
Sargasso
This alga stands out for reaching lengths of up to 20 meters, remaining upright thanks to the "floats" that it houses in its leaves. It forms very spectacular landscapes for divers, reminiscent of authentic underwater forests.
Learn more about What is sargassum in this other post from Ecologist Verde.
Mangroves
Thanks to their ability to survive in brackish waters, mangroves also extend along the coasts of the Peruvian Sea, forming refuges and ecosystems for a large number of animals.
Here we explain more about what a mangrove is and its characteristics.
Phytoplankton
It is made up of microscopic algae, and forms the basis of marine ecosystems. However, climate change affects them negatively, and their number is decreasing every year.
If you want to read more articles similar to Peruvian sea: characteristics and animals, we recommend that you enter our Ecosystems category.
