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.
FEBRUARY 2020
FEBRUARY 23
Ecuadorian Navy responds to shipwreck of the Blue Marlin in Villamil Bay on Isabela Island
The Navy indicates that at all times its personnel were aware that the refloating maneuver does not compromise a greater fuel spill.
MARCH 2020
MARCH 18
Americans in Ecuador have the possibility of leaving on charter flightsCoronavirus pandemic makes Galapagos a ghost archipelago
The Governor of Galapagos, Norman Wray, said that some 2,000 foreigners have stayed and that this week they have the possibility of leaving the archipelago on hired or previously authorized flights.
MARCH 20
Around 1,000 residents cannot enter the Galapagos due to coronavirus travel restrictions“In Galapagos, so far, there are no confirmed cases. A tourist who was on the islands for 48 hours tested positive for Covid-19 on the mainland and was referred to Guayaquil. For this reason, an epidemiological quarantine / fence was extended.”
The resources come from the Fund for the Eradication of Invasive Species of Galapagos (FEIG) and the Fund for Protected Areas (FPA).
APRIL 2020
APRIL 2
Students to set resume school schedule in May without returning to classrooms in person.“School activities will be carried out through the use of virtual media that will serve to review previous learning, refresh knowledge and prepare for the contents of the new school term.”
APRIL 6
Charles Darwin Foundation donates two respirators to the Galapagos hospital on Santa Cruz Island
APRIL 12
Charles Darwin Foundation donates two respirators to the Galapagos hospital on Santa Cruz Island
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
JUNE 2020
JUNE 12
Shark fin smugglers using coronavirus as cover to ramp up illegal shipments into Hong Kong“Conservationists in Hong Kong remain puzzled by the scale of record illegal shark fin shipments into the city this year, at a time when overall consumption is down. The two consecutive shark fin shipments, totaling 26 metric tons (MT) and valued at HKD 8.6 million (USD 1.1 million, EUR 950,000), were seized by the Hong Kong Customs on 28 April and 4 May. An estimated 38,500 sharks were killed for the fins seized in Hong Kong, mostly from the thresher and silky shark, whose trade is regulated under the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Appendix II. None of the required permits accompanied the shark fins seized in Hong Kong. In Ecuador, the minister with responsibility for fisheries has this month extended an export ban to five additional varieties of shark and has promised increased efforts to improve the “traceability” of the country’s seafood exports.“
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.
In conjunction with the island’s merchants, Latam began work to operate cargo flights in the passenger cabin approximately two months ago, which allows it to serve the archipelago’s food supply and provisions. These flights, with a special rate, are scheduled to operate every week, depending on the demand for cargo.
JULY 2020
JULY 1
Galapagos Islands reopened for tourism though regular flights to the island are still not scheduledSome residents express concern that those speaking on behalf of different economic sectors at these economic reactivation discussions did not represent their opinions or interests.
Among the rules that have been established within this community of more than 4000 members is that no sale or talk of money is allowed, only exchange, promotions can not be disseminated and the most important thing is that there is seriousness between the two people for the exchange. In each transaction that is carried out, a photograph of the exchange carried out is uploaded.
JULY 13
The Ministry of the Environment and Water (MAAE) announced the reopening of the 85 visitor sites in the National Park and the 98 visitor sites in the Galapagos Marine Reserve.Visitors must comply with the access protocol approved by the provincial COE which includes health security measures such as: use of a mask and hand gel or alcohol. In the case of recreation sites near populated ports, the maximum stay at the site will be three hours.
AUGUST 2020
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
AUGUST 21
In Galapagos, unions and citizens’ council ask for “urgent attention due to the economic crisis” generated by Covid-19
AUGUST 22
Covid-19-Related Updates in the Galápagos from Ángel Yánez and Norman Wray
AUGUST 23
Artistic Commentary: Time Lapse Drawing and Statement from Naturalist Guide and Artist @picasodive
Interview: Carlos Verá and Junta Ciudadana (Citizen’s Council) of Galápagos
AUGUST 24
Press Release: Junta Ciudadana Provincial Galapagos Update 24 Ago 2020
Video: Statement from Raúl Menoscal of Junta Ciudadana
Developing News: Demonstrators Block Road in Santa Cruz. Additional coverage here: Inhabitants of Galapagos block road due to lack of response from authorities
Video: Statement from Mr. Norman Wray, President of the Gobierno de Galápagos
Video: President Norman Wray and Mayor Ángel Yánez Meet with Demonstrators
AUGUST 25
Images: Demonstrators on San Cristobal Island Block Thoroughfare
Inhabitants of Galápagos Block Road Due to Lack of Response from Authorities
Video: Update from Spokesperson for Junta Cuidadana, Jose Luis Herrera
Breaking: Agreements Reached Between Junta Ciudadana and Local Officials On Several Measures
AUGUST 28
The Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) , through the Galapagos Community Assistance Fund, launched in March of this year, obtained a donation of $ 50,000 for the acquisition of a thermal cycler (for PCR testing) and more than 600 equipment of PCR tests that will allow the archipelago authorities to improve the detection of COVID-19 cases.
Artistic Commentary: Caja Negra Comic “Losing ‘Hope’” (@cajanegragalapagos)
Artistic Commentary: Time Lapse In Advance of #WhaleSharkDay This Sunday (@picasodive)
SEPTEMBER 2020
OCTOBER 2020
NOVEMBER 2020
Until this last day, according to data from the Ministry of Public Health (MSP), Galapagos reported 233 infections of COVID-19, and eight days later, until Saturday 21, the figure rose to 258. That is, there was an increase of 25 infected in that period.
NOVEMBER 23
Five provinces of Ecuador had an increase in COVID-19 cases during week number 47Until this last day, according to data from the Ministry of Public Health (MSP), Galapagos reported 233 infections of COVID-19, and eight days later, until Saturday 21, the figure rose to 258. That is, there was an increase of 25 infected in that period.
The Ecuadorian restaurants El Salnés, DosSucres, Anker and Muyu are part of the El Espíritu de América Latina selection made by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. Establishments from 17 countries, from Mexico to Patagonia, were included.
NOVEMBER 26
Galapagos, with the most cases of COVID-19, is the best-tested province in the country
NOVEMBER 27
Video: A rare all-white penguin was found in Galapagos TheThe bird, of the species Spheniscus mendiculus , would suffer from leucism, a genetic peculiarity due to a recessive gene that gives a white color to the coat or plumage (the eyes maintain their normal color unlike albinism), indicated the Directorate of the Galapagos National Park (DPNG) on their social networks.
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.
Informing and sharing news on marine life, flora, fauna and conservation in the Galápagos Islands since 2017
© SOS Galápagos, 2021
