Galapagos, Author at Galapagos Islands Travel

Gustavo Manrique was our guest and we discussed the current conservation priorities of the Ministry. Manrique served almost two years as Ecuador’s lead administrator for environmental issues.

1. What is the Hermandad Marine Reserve and what are its benefits?

Executive Decree 319 established the Hermandad Marine Reserve. It is located on the northeastern corner of the Galapagos Marine Reserve. It covers 37,282 mile. The Hermandad Marine Reserve is a biological corridor that provides protection for over 20 species of migratory birds, including manta rays, sharks and sea turtles. These species move between two protected areas, Galapagos Island, Costa Rica, and Cocos Island Island, Costa Rica. They follow the underwater mountain ranges that provide them with food. This area has been home to some species of Galapagos like Sea Lions, Waved Albatrosses, and Galapagos Sharks.

This area is in a bio corridor that many vulnerable species use to travel on their migration routes. Therefore, it can be protected.

2. What’s the purpose of the new marine reserve?

As a way of bringing attention to the urgent need to protect the oceans, the Ecuadorian government has announced the creation this reserve at COP 26, Glasgow, Scotland. Technical review of the scientific proposal revealed that the underwater mountain range is used by endangered migratory species along their routes between Galapagos Islands and Cocos Island. This route is also known as a “migratory highway”.

3. What other conservation efforts are made for marine species?

Diverse Conservation programs and programs in Galapagos Marine Reserve are part of Ecuador’s efforts to preserve marine biodiversity.

Galapagos Whale Shark Project was implemented by the Galapagos National Park Directorate, Universidad San Francisco de Quito and the Marine Megafauna Foundation.
Program to monitor juvenile sharks in the GMR breeding areas, initiated by the GNPD/USFQ.
Project “Role oceanic islands in conservation of highly migratory animals” between the GNPD and USFQ, Galapagos Sciences Center, Migramar.
The GNPD executed a program to monitor the distribution and abundance of Marine Iguanas within the GMR.
The GNPD and USFQ have executed a program to monitor sea turtles in their resting and foraging areas.
The GNPD and IAC have implemented a program to monitor Giant Tortoises nesting at beaches. This was done with support from Galapagos Conservancy.
The GNPD implemented a program to monitor the distribution and abundance of Sea Lions.
The GNPD and Fund for Invasive Species of Galapagos executed a project to monitor harmful behavior of algae on corals.
The GNPD and Galapagos Conservancy have implemented a pilot coral restoration plan at Academy Bay.
The GNPD implemented a project to monitor collectors in the recruitment of Sea Cucumbers, and other species.
Monitoring whales, dolphins and manta rays around the GMR is a project.
The GNPD and USFQ conduct an annual monitoring trip to key species in the GMR.
The GNPD and Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral (ESPOL) executed a project to monitor ocean acidification within the GMR.
The ESPOL and GNPD have implemented a mangrove monitoring program.
The GNPD and Charles Darwin Foundation have implemented an ecological monitoring program in the GMR.
The GNPD and Charles Darwin Foundation implemented a subtidal ecological monitoring program in the GMR.

There are many mechanisms to protect fishing species. The Fishing Calendar establishes closed and open fishing seasons, sizes, catch areas, and other regulations that ensure the conservation of marine resources. International cooperation was instrumental in strengthening the GNPD’s institutional capacity to create monitoring and conservation programs that protect marine ecosystems. These partners include the Japan International Cooperation Agency and United States Agency for International Development. The Korea International Cooperation Agency, Global Environmental Facility, KFW Development Bank, and Korea International Cooperation Agency are all examples. Non-governmental organizations like the Charles Darwin Foundation and Galapagos Conservancy, WildAid and Conservacion International, Fundacion Jocotoco and Robert Wilson Marine Technologies have advocated for funding programs and projects that support marine ecosystem management and conservation.

Many Galapaguenos were forced to seek alternative jobs after tourism was cut off abruptly. Tania Quisingo, Santa Cruz Islander, made crisis into an opportunity by starting her family’s business, “Le Vid”, which sells healthy snacks.

Tania started by selling granola and chocolate to her family, friends and neighbors. Tania’s mission to save traditional food in Galapagos, Ecuador led to her being awarded a Conservation Action Grant from Galapagos Conservancy.

Tania joined “Conexion Galapagos”, a program that allows people to hear her stories. Tania spoke about the disappearance of many ancestral foods like chulpi. Chulpi, a small-grain corn that is rich in vitamins and minerals, has many health benefits. Tania wanted to encourage the consumption of this nutritious food and chulpi has become Le Vid’s most popular product.

You can make a variety of gourmet snacks with the corn that is used to make chulpi. Tania and her family make spicy and classic chulpi as well as sweet and classic corn nuts, traditional and mixed granola and granola.

Tania stated that healthy food is something that Tania is focusing on. It’s free from preservatives, artificial flavors, and provides the nutrients necessary for a balanced diet. With the support of Galapagos Conservancy, this enterprising family will introduce environmentally-friendly packaging for all Le Vid products in order to reduce plastic pollution on the island.

We are happy to assist local residents such as Tania in adopting sustainable practices in Galapagos. We can all work together to preserve the archipelago’s unique biodiversity for future generations.

Tania Quisingo and her team © Galápagos Conservancy

Walter and I can be found almost every day at the Fausto Llerena Giant Tortoise Breeding Center on Santa Cruz Island. To restore Galapagos’ most endangered species, I am a field assistant for the Galapagos National Park Directorate. We ensure their daily needs are met.

The animals are fed fresh plants, such as Porotillo (Common Coral Bean), and Otoy, (Arrowleaf) on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. We focus on the maintenance of the tortoises’ corrals. Every part of the corrals should be cleaned, including the platforms where the tortoises eat, and the pools that they use to cool off and quench their thirst. In the corrals where the adult tortoises are kept, vegetation control is a constant task. They need sunlight to regulate their body temperature. This requires that they have access to sunnier areas that are not overgrown by plants.

This is the hard work of raising these tortoises. It starts at 7:00 am and ends at 5:00 pm. Some weeks, especially during nesting seasons, I can work seven straight days, checking eggs in incubators and setting the temperature for optimal incubation.

The best thing about my work is watching the tortoises develop, something that is not available to everyone. People can now adopt a Giant Tortoise through the innovative sponsorship program. They will thrive in the breeding centre before being released. To care for these amazing animals, visit adopt.galapagos.org

“Walter Chimborazo and our Park Rangers collaborate in the special care of the Giant Tortoises Galapagos. We are grateful for his contribution to conservation of this species. We are thankful to have him and Galapagos Conservancy by our side.”

Danny Rueda

Director, Galapagos National Park

Walter feeding Giant tortoises with Otoy © Galápagos Conservancy

Galapagos Conservancy is a non-profit organization that protects and restores the Galapagos Islands. This challenge requires ongoing monitoring of the state of the ecosystems.

Recent research by Dr. Jon Witman, Brown University, and co-funded by Galapagos Conservancy has shown that cyanobacteria rapidly expand in the rocky subtidal regions of central Galapagos. Cyanobacteria is a photosynthetic, aquatic bacteria that forms mats on the surfaces of submerged habitats.

Experts believe that cyanobacteria could be an indicator of reef ecosystem stress. This is due to the fact that they are able to adapt to changes such as temperature, nutrient depletion and coral death. This plasticity allows cyanobacteria to thrive in warming marine ecosystems.

This study showed that cyanobacterial mats have rapidly expanded at a subtidal location in central Galapagos Islands. They now cover one-third the rocky reef.

To determine what factors led to the observed changes, both field and lab experiments were used. The abundance of cyanobacteria was reduced by sea cucumbers (Holothurians), which they feed on. This effect is likely to be present in both hard-substrate as well as soft-substrate habitats. The Galapagos Islands have seen a severe increase in sea cucumber populations since 2004. This suggests that benthic and cyanobacteria may have been partly influenced by the recent growth of sea cucumber populations in the Galapagos Islands.

Two species of sea stars were able to avoid Cyanobacteria, which was unpalatable for several herbivorous fish species.

A lab experiment confirmed that cyanobacteria mat expansion was facilitated by El Nino water temperatures between 2014 and 2017.

Warming water temperatures and healthy populations of marine herbivores have facilitated the growth of cyanobacterial mats along subtidal coral reefs in Galapagos Islands. However, this has had a significant impact on the structure of bottom-dwelling communities and the persistence of Galapagos coral reefs.

Today’s society produces enormous amounts of waste due to its unbridled consumption. Solid waste management is a major socio-environmental challenge for the entire world, even Galapagos.

Teresa Jaramillo (a Isabela Island resident) has been leading the “Manos Reciclando”, a collective of 20 women dedicated to proper solid waste management, for the past five year. Recycling Hands is aware of the negative impact that bad habits can have on the island’s environment. They seek ways to reduce, reuse, or dispose of waste generated locally.

Teresa points out that the collective was founded in 2017 and has worked to encourage a reduction in consumption habits. Collective members believe that small actions can help solve big problems and work together to protect the environment. First, the collective accepted that pollution due to waste accumulation is a reality on Isabela Island. There is no waste management system.

Manos Reciclando has found that the main problem is the lack of resources needed to establish a waste management system. Galapagos Conservancy has been a great supporter and trustor of Teresa’s collective. She stated that her goal was to raise awareness and educate the public about the impact of waste on biodiversity and how to contribute to responsible waste management.

The collective employs several strategies. One approach is to encourage local product purchases. Galapagos residents are dependent on products from mainland which, Teresa pointed out, exacerbates the problem of pollution. Local goods are cheaper to transport and less likely to end up as waste.

Manos Reciclando also uses a cleanup brigade on Isabela Island. A first cleanup was held on October 21st, in collaboration with the Municipal Government, local institutions, and the community. Nearly 500 pounds worth of garbage was collected. 49% of it was plastic, 23% glass, 13% mixed and 15% cardboard, metal and fabric. Teresa stated, “As consumers we are directly responsible to pollution. Therefore, we must take action, knowing that our actions directly impact on pollution.”

These efforts were supplemented by 130 students who attended Manos Reciclando workshops to learn how to make decorative and educational items out of recycled materials.

According to Dr. Jorge Carrion (Conservando Galapagos), managing our waste responsibly is our responsibility. My intention is to stress that every day actions such as reducing our consumption and separating waste positively impact the environment, and our well-being.

Galapagos Conservancy wishes Teresa Jaramillo, Recycling Hands and all those involved in environmental projects to promote environmental awareness within the community, a sincere congratulations.

Healthy, sustainable eating means eating more fruits and vegetables, and less animal products. These changes in diet have been shown to decrease obesity, diabetes, stroke, osteoporosis and other cancers. Because plant-based foods are less energy-intensive than animal-based food, they also help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Galapagos Conservancy funded a project to promote healthy eating habits led by Andrea Noboa, a Santa Cruz Island nutritionist. Andrea believes that “everyone is responsible for what happens in our bodies.” Therefore, it is important to understand the importance of changing eating habits and to promote healthy eating.

Up to ten nutrition workshops have been supported on Santa Cruz Island. Around 100 people attended these workshops, which promoted local food consumption, especially seasonal fruits and veggies. Andrea stressed that consuming local products has the primary environmental benefit of reducing foreign species entering Galapagos. She also highlighted the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy use, as transportation from the mainland generates a lot of greenhouse gases.

Every day large amounts of edible food are wasted or lost, both in Galapagos and elsewhere. This contributes to climate change as well as increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Andrea discusses food waste in her workshops at home, in restaurants, and with farmers whose produce often ends in waste. Organic food is a way to reduce pollution and conserve water and energy.

Washington Tapia, the General Director of Galapagos Conservancy (and its affiliate Conservando Galapagos), believes that sustainably grown food is more nutritious, healthier and more beneficial to the Galapagos ecosystem. For increasing food security, nutrition, and hunger, it is important to reduce food waste and food loss.

Galapagos Conservancy is happy to support Andrea Noboa’s work to educate our community about interconnections between diet, health, as well as maintaining the integrity and diversity of our ecosystems.

Andrea Noboa teaching local Galapagueños about healthy habits