Unable to sail directly east because of the prevailing winds

They were forced south and into the area of the South Pacific

Known then as the Desolate Region

A vast uncharted windless ocean the size of Australia

These beautiful blue waters are the clearest in the world

But they are a watery desert clear and blue

Because there is so little plankton

The key to all marine food chains

Plankton need nutrients

But most nutrients are locked in the deep

Denied access to the surface by a layer of water called the thermocline

Around 200metres down

The little life that does exist at the surface seeks shelter

No matter how superficial it may be

In time whole communities build on the flotsam

Barnacle larvae settle

Along with miniature predators

Frogfish

On just a piece of drifting rope

Tiny creatures may spend their entire lives