The Galápagos is the kind of place that should only exist in mythology books. It’s a paradise.
Here, ancient giant tortoises wander the shores.
Marine iguanas dive into the surf to scour the ocean floor for food.
And countless fish species tranform the ocean water into an explosion of colour.
It’s the birthplace of the theory of evolution – and the first stop for Greenpeace’s ship as it embarks on a tour of ocean sanctuaries around the world.
The amazing Galápagos Marine Reserve
We’re here to showcase the success of the Galápagos Marine Reserve – one of the best examples of ocean protection in action.
The Ecuadorian government created this protected area in 1998, and it’s teeming with marine life. Think giant whale sharks and green turtles; scalloped hammerhead sharks and playful fur seals.
But of course, these creatures don’t pay attention to the lines humans draw on maps. This area is part of an underwater superhighway that species use to migrate through the Galápagos region. And outside the marine reserve, the ocean remains open to destructive industrial fishing. This could have dire consequences for life within it.
This area lies between the national waters of Ecuador, Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama – and it urgently needs protection. These governments have already taken some steps to protect their coastal waters. Now they have a chance to protect this pocket of international waters, closing it off to industrial fishing fleets.
Science and wildlife in the Galápagos
Studying sea life shows the need for better protection
To strengthen the case for a new protected area, scientists will research sea life in the area, using a method called eDNA testing. This involves studying the traces of genetic material that creatures leave in the water as they swim through. eDNA data can be used to measure biodiversity in that part of the ocean. Comparing data from inside and outside the reserve show the need for a new and larger marine protected area.
Last year, the historic Global Ocean Treaty was approved. It’s a powerful tool that governments can use to create a new protected area on the high seas. But they first need to sign the treaty into law. Creating this new safe haven can be a great step towards ensuring that 30% of the oceans are protected by 2030.
The Galápagos inspired the theory that connects all life on Earth. Imagine what the global ocean, covered in protected areas, could inspire.