A World War II hospital ship that sank off the Albanian coast in 1941 has transformed into a rich underwater ecosystem decades later, according to British outlet “BBC Wildlife.”
Researchers have identified 151 species living on and around the wreck. The discovery also includes a Mediterranean monk seal, one of the rarest and most critically endangered mammals in the Mediterranean.
The findings highlight the ecological importance of the underwater habitat. Moreover, the presence of the monk seal further increases the area’s conservation value.
Divers explored the wreck and spotted the rare marine mammal among the species living around it.
The 135-meter-long ship now acts as an artificial reef. Different species of fish, squid and other marine organisms use the structure as a habitat.
Eighty-five years ago, the World War II hospital ship “Po” sank off the Albanian coast. Today, its rusting remains support a wide range of marine life, including sponges, sea squirts, lionfish, squid and the Mediterranean monk seal.
The ship lies on the seabed around 1.6 kilometers from the coast and 35 meters below the surface. It remained largely undisturbed until divers located it in 2005.
Since then, the wreck has attracted archaeological tourism and scientific research.
Italian researchers wanted to understand how the shipwreck had influenced the development of the local marine ecosystem.
Therefore, between 2022 and 2024, they carried out 32 underwater dives. They also used high-resolution sonar surveys and three-dimensional photography to document the wreck and its surrounding environment.
The researchers published their findings in the scientific journal “Frontiers in Ocean Sustainability.” Their study identified 151 marine species in total.
More than 80% of the ship’s surface now hosts sponges, sea squirts, mussels, oysters and other invertebrates.
“The metal sheets provide a hard surface where marine life can develop and also offer shelter for larger animals,” said Simone Modugno of the Italian Institute for Environmental Research, IRSSAT.
Meanwhile, researchers recorded dozens of common Mediterranean fish species, including red mullet, gilthead seabream, grey mullet and white seabream.
They also found clusters of squid eggs attached to the ship’s structure. The discovery suggests that the wreck serves as a breeding and nursery area for young marine organisms.
Researchers also recorded lionfish, a species known for its distinctive appearance.
Lionfish usually live in the Red Sea. However, the species has expanded northward through the Mediterranean.
As a result, the shipwreck could help the species spread by providing a kind of “stepping stone” between different marine areas.
The researchers also observed marine mammals in the area.
Several years ago, they photographed a Mediterranean monk seal near the site. Then, in 2023, they spotted another seal close to the “Po” wreck. This sighting marked the first confirmed record of the species in the Bay of Vlora since 1996.
Researchers believe the critically endangered seal may use the wreck as a temporary resting or feeding site.
The “Po” shipwreck lies within the Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park, a protected marine area.
Meanwhile, Modugno is developing a three-dimensional model of the wreck that people can explore through virtual reality.
He hopes the wider project will strengthen biodiversity conservation efforts, promote the ship’s history and make the wreck accessible to a wider audience.
“These projects are essential for promoting tourism and allowing people to experience the underwater environment,” Modugno said.
The “Po” shipwreck now represents more than a historic site. It has become a living underwater habitat and an important refuge for marine biodiversity along Albania’s coast.
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