[1] The island itself is only 9.6 square kilometres (3.7 sq mi) in size, and is a diverse preservation of ecosystems including sand dunes, mangroves, and reefs.

The seas around the Island are rich in wildlife, with many species of birds and tropical marine fish, and there are large areas where natural sandbars offshore bring the depth to just a few feet.

A team of researchers from Indiana University first discovered the wreckage in 2007 and have since established a Marine Protected Area in an attempt to preserve both the archaeological remains of the shipwreck and its surrounding reef ecosystem.

Living Museums in the Sea is a program with the goal of protecting submerged cultural and biological resources around the world.

In a partnership with the Children's Museum of Indianapolis and the Oficina Nacional de Patrimonio Cultural Subacuático (ONPCS), Indiana University recovered one of the 26 cannons found on the wreckage of Quedagh Merchant.