An article appeared in The Guardian ”Shark massacre reported in Colombian waters“ today (October 19, 2011) stating that …
“Colombian environmental authorities have reported a huge shark massacre in the Malpelo wildlife sanctuary in Colombia’s Pacific waters, where as many as 2,000 hammerhead, Galápagos and whale sharks may have been slaughtered for their fins”.
Although this incident occurred in Colombian waters, the consequential effects are felt around the world, and in the Galapagos Islands in particular.
WHERE DOES THIS TYPE OF ACTIVITY OCCUR
Almost anywhere really, but more frequently in waters that have a high concentration of sharks. In addition, this activity seems more prolific in waters that are remote and have little (if any) authorities patrolling and monitoring.
Galapagos Islands Marine Reserve Region
In terms of the Galapagos, the Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR) is actually extremely large. Established in 1986 by the government of Ecuador, La Reserva Marina de Galapagos (RMG) is apparently the second largest marine reseve in the world (the largest is the Great Barrier Reef). The area between the islands of the Marine Reserve is 133,000 square kilometers of sea surface. It includes the inland waters of the Islands (50,100 km²) and the entire area within 40 nautical miles measured from the coasts of the outer Islands.
THE MOTIVATION BEHIND THIS ACTIVITY
Money! The shark fins are the only parts that are apparently commercial – the rest of the shark is thrown back into the seas. Apparent shark fin soup is a delicacy in Chinese cuisine and can fetch approximately USD $100 per bowl in a Hong Kong restaurant.
Below are some NGOs that are worth visiting and supporting ….
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS PROTECTION & ADVOCACY NGOs
WILDAID http://www.wildaid.org/ecuador
Mission: end the illegal wildlife trade.
WildAid operates a field program in the Galapagos Islands, protecting the Galápagos Marine Reserve, apprehending poachers and smugglers and creating economic alternatives to local communities. In addition to this, WildAid’s unique Active Conservation Awareness Program (ACAP) is designed to drastically reduce the demand for wildlife parts and products – namely in key places such as China and India. WildAid works with media, governments, celebrities and local partners and communities worldwide to make wildlife conservation a global priority.
WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) http://www.worldwildlife.org/what/wherewework/galapagos/
Mission: to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth.
Working with our partners and generous donor support, we are intensely committed to ensuring that our vision for the Galápagos becomes a reality. Our goal is to maintain a marine environment that supports its diverse and abundant native species, along with the people who depend upon it for their livelihoods. On land, we will work to prevent extinctions while maintaining the uninhabited islands in near pristine condition.
To achieve our goal, we have focused on the four areas that offer the greatest opportunity to solve the challenges facing these islands: sustainable tourism, innovative fisheries management, improved waste management, and support for the Galápagos National Park Service that builds their management and enforcement capacity in the marine reserve.
Galapagos Conservancy http://www.galapagos.org/2008/index.php
Mission: long-term protection of the Galapagos Islands.
Galapagos Islands. This single focus allows us to maximize the impact of the financial investments of our members, who include individuals and institutions that care deeply about the Galapagos Islands and understand the scientific importance of preserving this extraordinary ecosystem.
Collectively, our members represent the largest source of private funding for Galapagos conservation. Our direct support to on-the-ground research and management has more than doubled since 2004. We are committed to strengthening local institutions and to creating local capacity to ensure long-term protection of the archipelago.
We leverage our resources by working in close partnership with many allies, the most central to our work being the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galapagos National Park. We are fortunate to collaborate with scientists from many U.S. universities, international non-governmental organizations, and a multitude of other institutions that are committed to Galapagos conservation.
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society http://www.seashepherd.org/galapagos/
Mission: a direct action conservation organization to protect marine animals and ecosystems.
Since 2000, Sea Shepherd has maintained a strong, positive presence in the Galapagos Islands. From patroling the Marine Reserve stopping illegal fishing activities, to busting shark finners, to educating the local youth, Sea Shepherd carries out its mission of promoting ocean conservation using a wide range of methods and actions.
The Galapagos is our line in the sand. If humanity cannot protect such a unique and diverse ecosystem, we will not be able to protect any ecosystem. The Galapagos is a challenge and battlefield for the effort to halt human greed and destruction. These Enchanted Isles are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and this means all of us have a responsibility to help protect them from illegal exploitation.
Charles Darwin Foundation http://www.darwinfoundation.org/english/pages/index.php
Mission: to provide knowledge and assistance through scientific research and complementary action to ensure the conservation of the environment and biodiversity in the Galapagos Archipelago.
With the help of the IUCN, UNESCO, and conservationists worldwide, Charles Darwin Foundation was founded under Belgian Law in 1959. Since then, CDF has been instrumental in stabilizing the ecosystem and preserving the natural wonders the islands offer.
A timeline of the CDF’s last 50 years
- 1959 - CDF created and Galapagos National Park established
- 1964 - CDRS established in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Internationally-recognized herbarium established, containing the largest Galapagos plant collection in the world
- 1965 - Giant Tortoise repatriation program initiated
- 1966 - First conservation education programs commence in the Galapagos Islands
- 1968 -Galapagos National Park (GNP) begins operations
- 1971 - Last known surviving Pinta Island giant tortoise (Lonesome George) found
- 1972 -Scholarship training program initiated for Ecuadorian students
- 1976 -Land iguana population restoration program initiated
- 1978 -Galapagos Islands named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO
- 1984 -Galapagos National Park recognized as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO
- 1995 - Daisy tree Scalesia atractyloides, thought to be extinct, rediscovered on Santiago island
- 1997 - Rediscovery of Floreana flax Linum cratericola, previously thought to be extinct
- 1997 - Rediscovery of Floreana flax Linum cratericola, previously thought to be extinct
- 1998 - Special Law for Galapagos creates the Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR); contributions from CDF are crucial in ensuring that Galapagos’ needs for sustainable local development and environmental education are met under the new law. GNP and CDF begin Project Isabela – the world’s largest eradication and restoration program – to restore Santiago, Pinta and northern Isabela Islands. CDF and the Galapagos Conservation Fund (Lindblad Expeditions) begin the Fondos para Accion Local de Conservacion, (FALC) project, which will ultimately provide seed funding for 95 conservation community programs and sustainable businesses. CDF establishes Environmental Education Centers on Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, and Isabela, providing learning resources for all ages
- 1999 - Sultán Qabús Prize for Environmental Preservation awarded to CDF by UNESCO
- 2000 -Terrestrial Invertebrates Database and Collection established. Galapagos Inspection and Quarantine Program initiated, after major contribution from CDF, to prevent introduced species from reaching the islands
- 2001 - World Heritage Site extended to include the Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR). J. Paul Getty Wildlife Conservation Prize awarded to CDF in recognition of its contributions to conservation. IUCN adds the entire endemic flora of Galapagos to the Red List of Endangered and Threatened Species and creates a Galapagos Plant Specialist Group. Oil tanker Jessica spills and CDF responds quickly with staff assistance and ecosystem monitoring
- 2002 - Society for Conservation Biology Award for Distinguished Achievement awarded to CDF for distinguished service in the field of conservation biology. International Cosmos Prize awarded to the CDRS by Japan
- 2003 - Baseline Study of the Marine Reserve published. Baseline Study of Plant Research published. Government of Ecuador enacts the Law for Total Control of Introduced Species in Galapagos.
- 2004 - BBVA Foundation Prize awarded to CDF in Spain. Commander of the National Order of Honorato Vásquez bestowed on CDF by the Government of Ecuador. Punto Azul Award from the Colegio Nacional de Galápagos
- 2005 - Galapagos marine reserve recognized as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area by the International Maritime Organization.
- 2007 - Galapagos declared “at risk” by President Rafael Correa of Ecuador, emphasizing its conservation as a critical priority for the country. Galapagos Islands added to the list of World Heritage Sites in danger. CDF releases “Galapagos at Risk” report, effectively analyzing damaging socio-economic trends in the archipelago
- 2009 - CDF celebrates the 50th anniversary of its founding, alongside the 150th anniversary of the publication of Darwin’s On the Origin of Species and the bicentenary of Darwin’s birth.
