Through art and engaging games, two environmental education projects were displayed at the fair. These included learning about Galapagos’ flora & fauna and how to take care of their environment, including the Galapagos Marine Reserve species.
Three projects were also presented by organizations to promote the consumption and production of local products. These initiatives helped to provide a variety of local products that promote a healthy and low-calorie diet. These products included whole wheat bread, gluten free bread, sauces of any kind, dehydrated fruits and a variety of organic vegetables.
Gabriela Vivas is the Director of Operations at Conservando Galapagos. She says that local consumption has a significant environmental impact, especially in Galapagos. Reduced transportation of goods to the Islands reduces greenhouse gases and other pollutants. Vivas stated that “for these and other reasons we must consume locally.”
A wooden handcraft project was presented and a dance choreographed by local artists highlighted the artistic side of the event. They promote the responsibility to care for the unique and natural environment of the Galapagos Islands through their art.
Galapagos Conservancy provides spaces and opportunities for the community, to learn about the initiatives and institutions of enterprising citizens.
Dancers at exhibition at fair in Santa Cruz © Galápagos Conservancy
The workshop was held in September’s third week. Experts carefully assessed each species’ status from “least concern to extinct”, including those species that are commercially exploited and have become difficult or rare to find.
Eduardo Espinoza is a specialist in marine resources at Galapagos National Park. He says that some species of the IUCN-evaluated species are related to artisanal fishing in Galapagos. The Environmental Authority will implement management measures to ensure sustainable and conservation of these resources. “We examined species that hadn’t been seen for decades. Espinoza said that there will be more research, monitoring and searches to find out if they are extinct in GMR.
Neil Cox, Director, IUCN Global Species Program stated that the IUCN Red List of Galapagos endemic fishes will be updated in the next year based upon the workshops. Cox stated that after the workshop, there will be a lengthy review of all data and ensuring that the evaluation protocol was followed in order to confirm the consensus decisions reached at the workshop.
James Gibbs is the Vice President of Science at Galapagos Conservancy. He stated that this information will help to guide decision-making and support conservation and sustainable use.
Many species, including the Galapagos-based bacalao cod, were identified as being at risk from overfishing. Experts also identified fish species that were not well-known and do not have sufficient data to determine their current status. Their conservation status will require further research and observation.
The hope was that the Galapagos Damselfish would be rediscovered, as it has not been seen since 1980s. Galapagos Conservancy has begun funding intensive research to find the Damselfish because workshop participants rated it as potentially extinct and critically endangered.