October 2009 Archives

GCT attended an address by Ecuador's President Rafael Correa Delgado on 27 October at leading international think tank on international affairs, Chatham House.

During his speech President Correa called for more support for the Yasuni initiative, under which Ecuador would leave 850 million barrels of oil underground, as a contribution to countering climate change. President Correa also outlined why Kyoto II was 'the way forward'.

President Correa went on to say Galapagos with its endemic species was one of four Ecuadorian regions. "Ecuador is one of seventeen mega-diverse countries on the planet and we require a great deal in order to preserve our environmental heritage."

Yes, it's not too early to start thinking about Christmas shopping! Our exciting range of exclusive Galapagos Gifts, available only from us, has something for everyone, including jewellery, silk ties, cards and our 2010 calendar, featuring the entries to our 2009 photo competition. Our range of unique items can all be viewed and ordered from our secure website - just click on our website's Gifts button

A ban on shark finning in UK waters is to be introduced by the government. The practice, which involves slicing fins from sharks at sea and dumping their bodies overboard - often while still alive - has been heavily criticised by campaigners and blamed for pushing many shark species to the brink of extinction.

Shark finning was banned by the EU in 2003 but loopholes in the legislation have allowed fishing boats in UK waters to continue finning. It is estimated that hundreds of tonnes of shark fin have been landed since the European "ban" was introduced. A ban is enforced in Galapagos and many of our readers will be surprised to learn that shark finning has been permitted in UK waters.

The government has decided to close this loophole, following the passing of an early day motion tabled by Martin Horwood MP on 29 March 2009. MPs demanded that "on no occasion should the UK government approve any derogation from the shark finning legislation in order to allow UK-registered vessels to remove shark fins at sea".

The government has agreed to follow the example set by MPs; a decision that will be warmly received by wildlife groups, who have long campaigned for the UK to introduce a ban on finning.

To round off the auction of a rare fifth edition of Darwin's On the Origin of the Species, that fetched £21,000 at GCT's Galapagos Day on 15 September, was the presentation of an outsize cheque by the winning bidder, Principal of the Mayfair School of English, Naeem Ahmad.

And where better place to receive such a generous donation than London's Natural History Museum in front of Charles Darwin himself?

Pictured from left to right are GCT's chief executive, Toni Darton; Charles Darwin (seated behind), 'reading' the fifth edition of his book; Naeem Ahmad; and Kieran Murphy, Steppes Travel's managing director.

First published by John Murray in 1869, the book was purchased in 2008 by Steppes Travel Group,which generously donated it for auction at our Anniversaries Special Galapagos Day with the proceeds going to the Galapagos Conservation Trust.

Lucky star prize winners of a fantastic trip for two to Galapagos, kindly donated by Steppes Discovery, were Peter and Nona Wright from Ticehurst, E Sussex.

Star Prize winners Peter and Nona Wright

pictured with Sir David Attenborough and Andrew Marr

The Beautiful Cashmere throw, kindly donated by Oyuna was won by R F Cottrill from Redditch.

A dozen bottles of award-winning Reh Kendermanns wine was won by A. Singleton from Bristol.

A Genuine Ecuadorian Panama hat, kindly donated by Majesa was won by Dean Bromage, Birmingham.

Galapagos: Both Sides of the Coin, kindly donated by the authors Dr Graham Watkins and Pete Oxford, was won by Jonathan and Nicole Scott.

Congratulations to all our lucky winners and many thanks to Oyuna; Reh Kendermanns; Majesa; Graham Watkins and Pete Oxford; and especially Steppes Discovery for your support.

Dogs on patrol at San Cristobel airport, photo: Sea Shepherd

Police sniffer dogs have been introduced into Galapagos to track down poachers and reduce crime against wildlife, thanks to the fund-raising efforts of Australian members of the Sea Shepherd charity for a dog kennel on Isabela island.

Following the completion of the kennel, the guides and dogs arrived and started work on the island, which has the highest level of poaching in the Galapagos.

Construction had been delayed due to lack of funds for months and would still be on hold, if it weren't for the admirable efforts of Sea Shepherd volunteers from Fremantle, Western Australia.