Since 1959, when Ecuador created the Galapagos National
Park, the process of conservation has been on-going. The following
is a short time-line of events.
- In 1959, the Ecuadorian government set aside 1,714,000 acres
(693,700 ha), which makes up 90% of the Galapagos Islands, as
a National Park. All the lands that were not already settlement
areas were incorporated into the park.
- In 1967 the Galapagos National Park Service was set up in the
islands.
- In 1972 the first park superintendent arrived.
- In 1998, the Galapagos Marine Reserve was created in order to
protect the waters surrounding the Galapagos Islands and the resources
they contain. There is a movement towards bringing together local
sectors (fishing, tourism and conservation) in order to negotiate
protecting the entire region--both on land and in the sea.
The Galapagos National Park Service cooperates with the Charles
Darwin Research Station in order to implement their common goals
of conservation and preservation of the natural resources within
the National Park and Marine Reserve. The park service approves
all itineraries of boats visiting the islands making sure that the
tourism is distributed evenly throughout the islands. They also
work as the licensing board for all guides
on the islands.
Park rules and regulations
have been developed in an effort to protect the area resources.
Rather than patrol boats for enforcement, the park utilizes certified
guides
who accompany all visitors in order to enforce rules through education.
In recent years, there has been a greater need for concern regarding
the fishing industry in the Galapagos. While it may be possible
to sustainably practice artisanal fishing, the dangers have come
from industrial fishing boats patrolling the waters surrounding
the islands, even within the borders of the Marine Reserve. They
primarily seek tuna and lobster, sea cucumbers and shark fins (the
latter bringing high prices in Asian markets. Unfortunately, large-scale
fishing puts in danger many species. Those indirectly affected include
sea lions (endemic subspecies), sea turtles (threatened worldwide),
sharks (threatened worldwide), waved albatross (endemic), blue-footed
booby (largest breeding colony in the world), dolphins and various
cetaceans (depleted worldwide--the Galapagos is also a Whale Sanctuary).
These animals get caught in the long lines or nets of the tuna fishermen.
Tourism may be the most sustainable means of conserving the Galapagos
Islands. While educating thousands of people each year who come
from all over the world to discover the uniqueness of the islands,
tourism also generates resources that can be put to work in the
process of conservation. As long as one remembers to "take
only photos and memories and leave only footprints", each person
can contribute to securing the future of the Galapagos Islands as
a natural resource and World Heritage Site.
Smart Voyager Program
The Rainforest Alliance in New York and Conservación y Desarrollo
(Conservation & Development) in Ecuador have teamed up to develop
criteria, evaluate and certify vessels in the Galapagos through
the Smart
Voyager Program. We invite you to use your dollars to make an
ecological statement by choosing to take your cruise on one of the
following vessels that are Smart Voyager certified.
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