Most people visit the Galapagos to see the giant tortoises or for close encounters with the birds. Yet, just below the waves along every shore lies a different world. Marine life around the islands shares the high endemism of the terrestrial fauna, but here the scene is as colorful as it is drab on the land. Indeed, the islands' marine life is among the world's richest and boasts numerous unique species. A Marine National Reserve was established in 1998. (The entire archipelago was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978). Although on the equator, the Galapagos coasts are not especially rich in corals, which we normally associate with tropical islands. This is because of the cold Humboldt Current. However, the upwelling of the current brings a rich load of nutrients from the ocean floor and this supports blooms of marine plankton, which in turn nourish larger animals. The islands have abundant marine mammals including dolphins and whales, as well as over 300 fish species.