The Galápagos shows the power of ocean protection

The Galápagos Marine Reserve is a powerful example of what ocean protection can achieve. But outside its boundaries, industrial fishing is still doing damage. Now, governments have a chance to change that.

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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

A seal swims playfully on its back just below the surface of a sunlit ocean
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A seal swimming playfully just below the surface.

Crew members lean over the side of a Greenpeace-branded inflatable boat to retrieve sampling equipment from the water.
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Scientist Paola Sangolqui takes eDNA samples in the Galápagos Marine Reserve.

A turtle swims through a shallow ocean
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The marine reserve is a haven for turtles.

The crew of the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise gather on the bow and wave to the camera.
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The Arctic Sunrise crew en route to the Galápagos Islands

A school of fish swim over a reef in the Galapagos Islands
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Schools of fish swim over a reef in the marine reserve

A diver floating just below the surface holds a banner that reads 'protect the oceans'. The rainbow-painted hull of the Greenpeace ship is visible through the water.
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Filmmaker Fábio Erdos diving next to the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise.

Two colourful crabs face each other
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Crabs face off on the beach.

A diver inspects a buoy just below the surface of a sunlit ocean
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Scientist Cesar Peñahererra inspects video equipment used to study marine life around the Galápagos Islands.

Photographed from below, fish and a hammerhead shark are silhouetted against the sunlit surface of the sea in the Galapagos Islands
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Sharks and fish are abundant in the marine reserve.

The Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise displays a banner reading 'oceans are life' as it sails through a calm sea.
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Oceans are life. We're here to make sure they're properly protected.

An iguana sits on a rocky beach in the Galapagos Islands, with a breaking wave in the background
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Iguanas are a common site on the islands' beaches.

Waves drain off a seaweed-covered outcrop of rock sticking out of the sea in the Galapagos Islands
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The Global Ocean Treaty makes it possible to expand the marine reserve into international waters, protecting sea life from industrial fishing.

A seal swims playfully on its back just below the surface of a sunlit ocean
Crew members lean over the side of a Greenpeace-branded inflatable boat to retrieve sampling equipment from the water.
A turtle swims through a shallow ocean
The crew of the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise gather on the bow and wave to the camera.
A school of fish swim over a reef in the Galapagos Islands
A diver floating just below the surface holds a banner that reads 'protect the oceans'. The rainbow-painted hull of the Greenpeace ship is visible through the water.
Two colourful crabs face each other
A diver inspects a buoy just below the surface of a sunlit ocean
Photographed from below, fish and a hammerhead shark are silhouetted against the sunlit surface of the sea in the Galapagos Islands
The Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise displays a banner reading 'oceans are life' as it sails through a calm sea.
An iguana sits on a rocky beach in the Galapagos Islands, with a breaking wave in the background
Waves drain off a seaweed-covered outcrop of rock sticking out of the sea in the Galapagos Islands
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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.

Take action

The UK government supported the Global Ocean Treaty, but still hasn't signed it into law. Let's put some pressure on them to make it happen.

Sign the petition

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