Jump to the month of July for coverage of the 2020 arrival of the foreign distant-water fishing fleet near the outskirts of Ecuador’s Insular EEZ, which surround the Galápagos Marine Reserve.
JANUARY 2020
JANUARY 4
Five defendants added in court case related to past theft of more than 100 tortoises from the Galapagos National Park. The crime was originally occurred on September 24, 2018. Read more about the 2018 theft via Mongabay Latam here
A week-old Galápagos tortoise. Image by Peder Toftegaard Olsen via Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0). 
Tortoises at the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center on Isabela Island. More than 100 individuals were stolen
JANUARY 11
Work begins to refloat barge that sank on the island of San Cristóbal
After the sinking of the barge, which had 600 gallons of diesel stored, actions were taken to reduce the environmental risk in this protected area of PNG. Courtesy
Original incident took place on 23 December 2019. Read additional 2019 coverage of the maritime emergency, impact and subsequent investigation.
The seamounts of Galapagos reach 3,000 meters deep and still harbor many mysteries so far not explored by humans. Although the Galapagos Marine Reserve was created in 1998, it was not until 2015 that the Nautilus vessel began to explore to characterize it. “For logistical and budget reasons, activities have almost always been focused on the land dimension since the cost of marine research is substantially higher,” explains María José Barragán, director of science at the Charles Darwin Foundation.
When Nautilus jumped into the sea, this foundation, together with the Galapagos National Park, began to discover seamounts: mountains under the sea, of volcanic origin, that do not reach the surface.
An additional young female turtle was established as the “highest priority” for having a high genetic load of the species Chelonoidis abingdonii , considered extinct, to which the Lonesome George belonged.
The team also collected about fifty blood samples from those turtles found for the first time, which were also microchipped for identification. The purpose is to carry out genetic analysis to determine the species to which they belong, considering that Wolf volcano inhabits a large population of hybrid individuals, including species considered extinct, due to the fact that in past centuries pirates and whalers released turtles collected in this site. other islands.
FEBRUARY 2020
The update of the Red Book of Birds of Ecuador indicates that of the 1508 species evaluated, 366 are in some category of extinction risk or there is not enough data to determine their status. Gustavo Jiménez, a scientist at the Charles Darwin Foundation and a collaborator with the Red List of Birds, affirms that the birds of Continental Ecuador and Galapagos were analyzed separately, due to the conservation characteristics of the archipelago. They were also evaluated, he indicates, even subspecies of Galapagos that are categorized as endemic.
FEBRUARY 26
Galapagos adds fourteen new species of lichens new to science
A study developed by Frank Bungartz , renowned lichenologist at Arizona State University and associate researcher with the National Institute of Biodiversity (Inabio) of Ecuador, determined 34 species of lichens of the genera Lecanora, Protoparmeliopsis and Vainionora as part of the Galapagos inventory. (Photo Courtesy: Inabio)
Research indicates that of the 34 species, 14 are new to science : Lecanora atroocellata, L. cactacea, L. cerebriformis, L. cerebrosorediata, L. confusoides, L. darwiniana, L. kalbii, L. malagae, L. ombligulata , L. pyrrhosporoides, L. subaureoides, L. terpenoidea, Protoparmeliopsis ertzii and Vainionora nugrae.
MARCH 2020
The devices will emit a signal when these sharks pass through the areas where the receivers are installed, a network that extends throughout the Eastern Pacific from the United States to Chile, including other protected areas such as Cocos Island, in Costa Rica, Malpelo, in Colombia and Coiba, in Panama.
MARCH 15
Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands closes borders to foreign travelers due to coronavirus
Those who are in continental Ecuador and must travel to Galapagos will be evaluated by medical personnel of the Ministry of Health according to the established protocol. If someone with symptoms is detected, they will not be allowed in.
APRIL 2020
APRIL 21
More than 3,000 residents of Galapagos stranded on the mainland ask to return to the islands.The National Assembly approved a resolution urging the national Emergency Operations Committee to immediately coordination humanitarian flights from Quito and Guayaquil to the Galapagos Islands to repatriate the stranded permanent residents.
MAY 2020
MAY 6
Shark fin seizure of 26 tons in Hong Kong, originating from Ecuador
HK customs officials, including Danny Cheung Kwok-yin (center), standing in front of the 26 tons of shark fins seized in Hong Kong in early May 2020. Image by HK Customs.
JUNE 2020
Diego was carried by park ranger Carlos Gaona in part of his journey to reach his final home.
Photo: Courtesy of the Galapagos National Park Directorate
The reform bill being processed by the National Assembly arises from the initiatives of the Galapagos assembly members Brenda Flor (AP) and Washington Paredes (CREO-SUMA), and was presented about two years ago and they have already passed the first debate. Now the Legislative Commission on Biodiversity is trying to prepare the report for a second debate.
Faced with this request, yesterday the Legislative Biodiversity Commission reported that thematic tables have been organized to receive the opinion of the Galapagos community from June 17 to 30. There will be five thematic tables: Tourism and Environment, on Wednesday June 17; Fishing and Transportation, on Friday June 19; of the Labor Regime and the Craft Sector, on June 24; of Agricultural Production and Commerce, on June 26, and of Institutional Regime and Governance, on June 30.
With the restart of flights, the protocol for marine tourist transport vessels was also approved – daily tour for when the restart of tourist activities occurs, according to strict biosafety regulations, which advises the use of a mask on a mandatory basis. temperature and the use of gel in alcohol. a negative test for Covid-19 is also required as a biosecurity standard to fly via Ecuadorian airports.
JULY 2020
JULY 1
Galapagos Islands reopened for tourism though regular flights to the island are still not scheduledJULY 22
Commercial flights to Galapagos will resume on August 3The flights will resume four months after the archipelago stopped receiving tourists through regular commercial flights. Since the COVID-19 health emergency began, airlines have only made special flights to bring settlers and take out stranded visitors.
Esperanza is part of the Galapagos Whale Shark Project’s study to discover the behavior patterns and movements of the whale shark in order to obtain relevant data that allow taking measures for their conservation.
French24 public media video shows presence of Chinese fleet off Galapagos
A video was included in the report showing the fishing transshipment to the cargo ship Yong Xiang 9, a Panamanian flag, which is part of the group . That video was posted on July 22, just a week after the presence of the great fleet was alerted.
The ship, with a large storage capacity, was already filmed in 2018 by the National Navy, the report added. On the Twitter account of that institution, a video was posted on June 6, 2018 with the hashtag #NoAlaPescaIlegal and in which this ship Yong Xiang 9 is observed. The next day, a press bulletin was also posted informing the detection of a fleet of 60 Chinese ships approaching the Galapagos Islands Exclusive Economic Zone (ZEEI). The Navy ordered a surveillance operation and assured that “it remains alert to enforce the sovereignty of Ecuador.”
JULY 27
Ecuador called a meeting of South Pacific countriesEcuadorian foreign minister Luis Gallegos said at a press conference that “I will speak with each foreign minister (of Colombia, Panama, Peru and Chile) about the future projections of a common strategy regarding this issue.” Those countries are members of the South Pacific Commission.
The Guardian: “Alarm over discovery of hundreds of Chinese fishing vessels near Galápagos Islands“
Fishing and tourist boats are anchored in the bay of San Cristóbal, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Photograph: Adrian Vasquez/AP
Government announces new strategy to protect Galapagos Islands
The president of Ecuador, Lenín Moreno, announced on July 27 the formation of a team of experts to design a protection strategy for the Galapagos Islands. The decision was made after the presence of approximately 260 fishing and supply vessels on the edge of the archipelago’s territorial limit on July 16.
The team will be led by the Chancellor, Luis Gallegos Chiriboga, who has held the position since the beginning of July; Roque Sevilla, ecologist and former mayor of Quito, and Yolanda Kakabadse, former Minister of Environment of Ecuador between 1998 and 2000. The ministers of Defense, Industries and Fisheries, Environment and Water, and the President of the Governing Council of Galapagos, Norman Wray, as well as a representative of the Galapagos community and the artisanal and industrial fishing sector of Ecuador. The names of all the experts who will make up this working group are not yet known.
JULY 31
Chinese fishing fleet ships shut down location systems to enter exclusive economic zonesThe team will be led by the Chancellor, Luis Gallegos Chiriboga, who has held the position since the beginning of July; Roque Sevilla, ecologist and former mayor of Quito, and Yolanda Kakabadse, former Minister of Environment of Ecuador between 1998 and 2000. The ministers of Defense, Industries and Fisheries, Environment and Water, and the President of the Governing Council of Galapagos, Norman Wray, as well as a representative of the Galapagos community and the artisanal and industrial fishing sector of Ecuador. The names of all the experts who will make up this working group are not yet known.
AUGUST 2020
AUGUST 4
National Assembly condemns illegal Chinese fishing near GalapagosFishing fleets: “In a few days we have achieved what has not been achieved in three years,” says Luis Gallegos. Gallegos pointed out that there is a need to seek international support and, therefore, today the Extraordinary Assembly of the Permanent Commission of the South Pacific (CPPS) was held, for which it had a proposal for a Declaration, in order to initiate a regional negotiation process led by Ecuador.
China issues statement that they “accept Ecuador overseeing Chinese fishing vessels in open sea”
China accepts negotiation with Ecuador for fishing fleet
China places prohibitions on fishing fleet near Galapagos
China announced this Thursday, August 6, 2020, a fishing ban on its boats in the vicinity of the Galapagos Islands, under the sovereignty of Ecuador , after the controversial presence of Chinese fishing boats in the area of this marine reserve. Ecuador expressed its “discomfort” to Beijing at the end of July and requested that the more than 260 vessels concerned stay away from this protected area. China “decided to ban deep-sea fishing west of the Galapagos reserve from September to November this year,” said Wang Wenbin , a spokesman for the Beijing Foreign Ministry. This measure “will contribute to the protection of fishery resources in the region” and has been “appreciated” by Ecuador, he said at a press conference. Ecuador warned in mid-July of the presence of vessels , mostly with the Chinese flag, not far from the Galapagos .
AUGUST 6
China bans deep-sea fishing west of the Galapagos for three monthsChina “decided to ban deep-sea fishing west of the Galapagos reserve from September to November this year,” said Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for the Beijing Foreign Ministry. [. . .] Wang Wenbin claimed that the two countries had “reached an affinity of views”, without providing further details. The Chinese authorities “will continue to require that” flagged fishing vessels “are in strict accordance with laws and regulations,” the spokesman promised.
Stuff (New Zealand): Vessels off Galapagos ‘cloaking’ in New Zealand
A fleet of Chinese “ghost ships” were falsely reporting their location within New Zealand waters while they fished off the Galapagos Islands. . .Stuff can reveal that six of the fleet are transmitting false information via their Automatic Identification System transponders, which make them appear to be fishing in New Zealand waters.
Now, New Zealand has been dragged into the international dispute because the vessels are “cloaking” in the waters between the Chatham Islands and a border with the high seas. The watchdog group Skytruth uses satellite imagery to identify and monitor threats to the environment. It launched the Global Fishing Watch website in 2016. Global Fishing Watch and Skytruth analyst Bjorn Bergman said: “No Chinese flagged fishing vessels are currently fishing within New Zealand’s EEZ [exclusive economic zone, which gives jurisdiction over natural resources].“The tracks that are appearing below are in fact from vessels near the Galapagos Islands broadcasting false co-ordinates.” Bergman said five of the six vessels were legitimately fishing for squid with authorisation from South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO), an inter-government body in charge of regulating high seas fishing. The sixth could not be identified.
French24 public media video shows presence of Chinese fleet off Galapagos
A video was included in the report showing the fishing transshipment to the cargo ship Yong Xiang 9, a Panamanian flag, which is part of the group . That video was posted on July 22, just a week after the presence of the great fleet was alerted.
The ship, with a large storage capacity, was already filmed in 2018 by the National Navy, the report added. On the Twitter account of that institution, a video was posted on June 6, 2018 with the hashtag #NoAlaPescaIlegal and in which this ship Yong Xiang 9 is observed. The next day, a press bulletin was also posted informing the detection of a fleet of 60 Chinese ships approaching the Galapagos Islands Exclusive Economic Zone (ZEEI). The Navy ordered a surveillance operation and assured that “it remains alert to enforce the sovereignty of Ecuador.”
AUGUST 7
Additional coverage confirming 80 more ships detected in the vicinity of the Galapagos
China, US trade barbs over Chinese fishing effort near Galápagos
AUGUST 8
UNESCO World Heritage Center Issues Statement (English and Spanish available here; English and French available here)HK customs officials, including Danny Cheung Kwok-yin (center), standing in front of the 26 tons of shark fins seized in Hong Kong in early May 2020. Image by HK Customs.
Footage of a whale corpse trapped in a hauling net has been sent to us to publish. Found in mid half way between Puerto Ayora and Isabela. Type of whale it is not identified. The people recording reports the location of the finding is half way between Puerto Ayora and Isabela.
Peaceful demonstrations across Ecuador. View photo coverage from Santa Cruz, Isabela and San Cristobal
Additional coverage of the peaceful call to action from Santa Cruz Island
Sit-in participants demand actions against foreign fleet
#AcciónPorGalápagos Coverage from Isabela Island
#AcciónPorGalápagos Coverage from Guayaquil
SEPTEMBER 2020
OCTOBER 2020
OCTOBER 8
HawkEye 360 Satellite System Tracked Chinese Activity near Galapagos.Satellite operator contradicts Chinese ambassador on fleet’s AIS blackouts
Oceana Report: Chinese Fishing Vessels Disabled Their Tracking Devices Off Galapagos
New evidence suggests China’s ‘dark’ vessels poached in Galápagos waters
OCTOBER 25
The Galapagos Sees Record Increase in Its Endemic Penguins and CormorantsThe estimation of the data collected during the census, based on the methodology applied more than a decade ago, reports that there are 2,290 flightless cormorants and 1,940 penguins in the main colonies located on the Isabela and Fernandina islands and Marielas islets, in the west of the Galapagos archipelago , indicated the GNPD.
NOVEMBER 2020
DECEMBER 2020
DECEMBER 4
US Coast Guard coordinates rescue of 18 Ecuadorians after fishing vessel sank off Galapagos Islands
Rescue of 18 Ecuadoreans from Shipwrecked Ecuadorian commercial fishing vessel Romeo
A tanker vessel rescued of 18 Ecuadorians after their 72-foot commercial fishing vessel sank Friday approximately 350 miles north of the Galapagos Islands, the U.S. Coast Guard said. The Hai Soon 26 crew arrived on scene at 12:26 p.m. and retrieved the 18 Ecuadorian nationals, five people from a life raft and 12 people from the sinking fishing boat. No medical concerns were reported.
DECEMBER 12
The first Andean initiative to protect Galapagos from illegal fishingThe Andean Parliament approved a protocol that has 55 pages and includes national and regional regulations to fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and to promote sustainable fishing in Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and Chile.
DECEMBER 13
Ecuador: “The risks in the country due to the little investment in research of its marine wealth”
Artisanal fishing, like industry, puts pressure on marine resources. Photo: Courtesy Fernando Félix
Join us in calling on Ecuadorian President Lenín Moreno to consider his legacy and expand the Galápagos Marine Reserve. For Galápagos. For Ecuador. For all of us.
There has never been a better opportunity to expand the Galápagos Marine Reserve than now. Ecuadorian President Lenín Moreno’s term in office will conclude in May 2021. Before his term ends, he has one final opportunity to leave a remarkable legacy for Ecuadorians—and for the world—by expanding the Galápagos Marine Reserve. This will safeguard vulnerable marine species that depend on the Reserve, ensure food security for local communities, and help Ecuador achieve its recent commitment to protect at least 30% of its marine areas by 2030.
This is why SeaLegacy, Only One, The Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy Program, MasGalapagos, Migramar, Mission Blue, Pacífico Libre, Tropical Herping, The Leatherback Project, Mare Nostrum, and a coalition of various other Ecuadorian and international organizations, scientists, and members of local communities, are calling for urgent action, and we need your help.
DECEMBER 17
Seafood Source: “Chinese distant-water firm to build fishing base in Ecuador”A Chinese distant-water fishing firm has signed an agreement to build a fisheries base in Ecuador, despite tensions between the two countries this summer after a Chinese squid fleet encroached on the country’s waters. China Ocean Group Development Co. has signed a memorandum of understanding with Mercado Común Del Sur (Mercosur) to build a pelagic fishery base in Ecuador. China Ocean Development Group Chairman Liu Rongsheng was joined by a number of other corporate executives, government officials, researchers, and retired diplomats at the official signing ceremony at the Sheraton hotel in Shenzhen.
Also present was Paul Penaherrera, Ecuador’s commercial counselor in Guangzhou, who also heads the local office of export promotion agency Pro Ecuador, as well as executives from the China Distant-Water Fishing Association, whose members include some of the fishing companies operate squid-fishing vessels in the Southern Atlantic. Ecuadorian President Lenín Moreno protested their actions this summer, when a fleet of some 260 fishing ships, most Chinese-flagged, spent around a month fishing in international waters just outside a 188-mile wide exclusive economic zone around Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands.
The heads of two Chinese state-run think tanks, the Belt and Road International Cooperation Development (Shenzhen) Research Institute and the China World Trade Research Institute – operated through China’s Commerce Ministry – also attended the signing. Another attendee at the signing ceremony was Liang Haishan, secretary general of the Chinese-run organization Alliance Mercosur Camara Internacional. Two other Chinese business clubs were also represented: the Global CEO Club and the Global Investment Group.
Informing and sharing news on marine life, flora, fauna and conservation in the Galápagos Islands since 2017
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