An Island of Great Wealth Spreading 
Guafo Island is located on the X Region of the Lakes, southwest of Chiloé - to 8 hours of sailing from the port of Quellón-before was not visited due to its relative remoteness of the continent, but for a couple decades, adjacent waters have been subject to strong pressure to exploit benthic resources, pelagic and demersal. These activities directly and indirectly affect populations of marine mammals and birds living in the sector, whether incidental mortality and pollution of their habitat.
Among the species most important marine animals, and on which there is a protective framework that protects, is the southern fur seal (Arctocephalus australis ), the sea otter (Lontra felina ) and the black fardela ( Puffinus griseus). Jointly charged interest on the island the large number of fauna and flora that has, recorded some thirty species of sea birds on its shores and a rich diversity of species of whales (blue, southern right, humpback), dolphins (bottlenose dolphins), pinnipeds (sea lions , elephant seals), albatross (black-browed, wandering), petrels (blue giant) and shearwaters (white belly) identified in their surrounding waters. In turn, the site features rare tree species such as congonilla ( Peperomia fernandeziana ), becoming the southern boundary for the distribution of this species for the forest laurifolia (Olivillos) of Chiloé. This great diversity is explained by the high marine productivity is recorded in the sector, which houses the most important feeding area for blue whales in Chile and South America (Gulf of Corcovado).
Key Findings
1) Guafo Island supports the largest colony of black fardela world, with about 4 million pairs, making it the place most suitable for studies of population dynamics of these animals in Chile.
2) found significant Magellanic penguin colonies (1700 nests) and the South American tern (1500 nests).
3) houses the largest population of southern fur seal between I to XI region, and its population size and pup production makes it one of the most important in the South Pacific.
4) It is the only breeding population of fur seals from the Second X region and is therefore a site of dispersal and gene pool for the species.
All this comprehensive plan research on marine birds and mammals is motivated by the disturbing panorama of sea lions and black fardela. The species most affected sea lion, for the southern fur seal which is possible census approx. 30,000 in all of Chile, 57% less than recorded in the 70's. For its part, the black fardela population also shows a decrease in both the northern and southern hemisphere, due to the reduction of their populations that nest in Chile and New Zealand.
To gain an understanding of the factors that shape the dynamics of populations of birds and marine mammals in Chile, it is necessary to continue this type multidisciplinary initiatives. "However due to lack of funds or institutional support, the project will keep costs in time, missing the opportunity to meet our environment and to train professionals responsible with their environment."
A date has been the publication of articles in international journals with high impact. In addition to supporting the development of doctoral theses, undergraduate, professional practices and the preparation of a documentary on the biodiversity of the island This material that together enable the realization of regional education and ecotourism, benefiting knowledge of diversity of the nearby communities of Quellón and Melinka, and other regions.
Although Chile has subscribed to a variety of international treaties, the practical implementation of protected areas for these species is insufficient and weak. This follows the need to implement more of these-such as the Gulf of Corcovado-performing blue whales then Guafo Island as a privileged and priority for the conservation of birds, marine mammals and their habitats both Region to Los Lagos Chile. "
