MORE THREATS TO THE MANAGEMENT OF GALAPAGOS
In a recent press release, the Galapagos Alliance, a grouping of international conservation organisations, raised its concern about a variety of problems that are impacting on the management and efficient running of the islands. Particularly worrying is the growth of unregulated sports fishing in the Galapagos Marine Reserve.
In February 2005, a sport fishing tournament was held in Galapagos under the auspices of the local authorities of San Cristobal and of Salinas Yacht Club, with the support of the International Game Fishing Association and Billfish Foundation. After the tournament, several unlicensed boats remained in Galapagos waters and continued to fish illegally. This is in flagrant violation of the law and is not in the interests of the people who live in Galapagos, particularly the local fishermen who had hoped for some benefit from sport fishing. Nonetheless, Artmarina, Red Mangrove and Blue Marlin Lodge, continue to promote further trips via the Internet.
All these activities are illegal and weaken the governance of Galapagos. The Special Law for Galapagos will allow for sport fishing under strict controls but the necessary regulations are not yet ready. It was agreed that sport fishing would be allowed so as to produce alternative employment for local fishermen and to lessen the impact of extractive fishing on the coastal zones. All this will be under threat if the sport fishing tourist sector is in the hands of outsiders.
What is happening now is setting a negative precedent for the management of the Marine Reserve and erodes the authority of the Galapagos National Park Service. Moreover, it opens the door to other activities inappropriate to the Marine Reserve and indeed to the sustainable development of the community.
The Galapagos Alliance views sport fishing as a tourist activity that might be valid for the Marine Reserve and which might, under adequate controls, make a positive contribution to reducing the impact of fishing. It would also respond to the demands of artisanal fishermen for alternative sources of income. The vital regulations should be produced more speedily and there should be sanctions on the afore-mentioned activities.
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