Galapagos Conservancy is committed to protecting the Galapagos Islands ecosystems. It values all efforts that are made to achieve this challenging goal. We are happy to share the news of the Ecuadorian Government’s efforts in aiding Galapagos Conservation, particularly against the possible impacts of natural phenomena like El Nino.

Monitoring Critical Climatic Conditions

In a major step for research, the Ecuadorian Navy’s Oceanographic and Antarctic Institute has deployed a second oceanographic beacon in the Galapagos Archipelago. The buoy will be used to monitor environmental conditions and in particular those related the El Nino phenomena. This device is a complement to another buoy that was placed earlier in 2023, 110 nautical miles away from the Santa Elena Peninsula.

This expanded ability to collect environmental data will enhance preventive and protection measures for the Galapagos Archipelago. The buoys have sensors that capture a wide range of oceanographic and meteorological data including air temperature, wind direction and speed, precipitation and atmospheric pressure. They also measure wave patterns and ocean currents.

The collected data, which is of utmost importance, is sent to INOCAR’s Ocean Monitoring Center, in real time, where it is analyzed and used to produce climate forecasts. These forecasts are crucial for a wide range of activities, from navigation and fisheries to risk management and science research.

The Commitment to Protection Continually

Dr. Jorge Carrion is our Conservation Director and he emphasizes the need to monitor El Nino’s impact on Galapagos. “Protecting Galapagos ecosystems requires a constant and meticulous effort.” He says. We are committed to being vigilant and to taking quick actions to protect the integrity of these eco-systems from any anomalies caused by El Nino.

We are unwavering in our commitment to protect Galapagos, its biodiversity and the natural environment. We can continue to work tirelessly for a safe future for this natural treasure thanks to the generosity of our donors.

INOCAR Strengthens Galapagos Research with a New Oceanographic Buoy to Monitor El Nino

Through continuous tracking and data analysis, the buoys can predict phenomena like El Niño, which significantly impact global weather and oceanic conditions. ©INOCAR Ecuador

Visitors from all over the world are drawn to the Galapagos Archipelago, a natural wonder of unparalleled beauty. The Galapagos National Park protects 97% of the landmass of the archipelago, but the biodiversity is still protected by the Ecuadorian Government. Many of the biodiversity hotspots exist in the remaining 3% of the landmass, where the people live. It is crucial to involve local communities in conservation activities. The livelihood and well-being of these communities depends on nature-based touristic activities. We can create a sustainable future both for the environment and people of Galapagos by involving them in conservation.

Galapagos Conservancy is proud of its efforts to reduce the use of single-use plastics. Few years ago, these plastics were a serious threat to the unique ecosystems of the archipelago, especially the marine environment. Galapagos’ use of single use plastics has decreased significantly since a program was launched to reduce its use.

Galapagos Conservancy is committed to supporting local communities’ involvement in conservation and sustainability on Galapagos. We can preserve the natural beauty of Galapagos by promoting responsible and sustainable practices, and educating the public on the importance to protect the environment.