NOVEMBER 2020
In the Galápagos Islands
NOVEMBER 3
Learn more about Fish Aggregating DesignNOVEMBER 4
‘Prevent, discourage, confront’: South American states tackle Chinese fishing boats
NOVEMBER 5
South American states join forces against Chinese fishing threatFishing fleet: Commission concludes lack of government action and that the expansion of the Galapagos Marine Reserve would bring negative consequences for the Ecuadorian tuna fleet
NOVEMBER 6
Latin American and US ships participate in military exercises in EcuadorNOVEMBER 9
Researchers look for clues to the Pájaro Brujo de GalápagosExperts still do not know the causes of the disappearance of the witch bird (San Cristóbal vermilion flycatcher) in San Cristóbal, as there were no studies of these birds before 2015.
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 12
The Bitter Aftertaste of China’s Hunger for South American Food
NOVEMBER 14
Two legislative committees speak out against the expansion of the Galapagos Marine Reserve
NOVEMBER 15
Editorial: “How far does the balance sheet go?”
NOVEMBER 16
Could China become a partner in Galapagos marine conservation? Yolanda Kakabadse thinks soNOVEMBER 17
Grant Announcement: Pacific Ocean project from University of Exeter will build a circular economy to target plastic pollutionPlastic pollution is getting worse in this region and globally, and the new project – led by the University of Exeter and the Galapagos Conservation Trust – will map the sources of plastic waste, investigate its effects and generate solutions to reduce waste. Researchers will work with governments, businesses, charities, local scientists and communities to “co-design” effective, long-lasting ways to cut plastic pollution
The four-year project – called “Reducing the impacts of plastic waste in the Eastern Pacific Ocean” – has received a £3.3 million grant from UK Research and Innovation’s Global Challenges Research Fund. The project team contains seven universities from Ecuador, Peru, Chile and the UK, including Plymouth Marine Laboratory and an extensive network of collaborators across multiple sectors and all stages of the flow of plastics.
“Over the last three years, we have established an enthusiastic network across the region committed to designing and implementing solutions for lasting change in Ecuador, Peru and Chile. Plastic pollution is a particular concern in this region because its seas contain rich biodiversity – including many species found nowhere else on Earth – and fishing and eco-tourism are major sources of income.
“Workshops with local people are a key part of our approach, and many of our best ideas have come from schoolchildren who are concerned about plastic pollution.” Jones said the project aims to create “self-sustaining” solutions that benefit people and keep plastic out of the oceans. She added: “We hope our approach – identifying the issues and possible solutions with local involvement at every stage – can provide a ‘toolkit’ that could be used to tackle plastic pollution elsewhere in the world.”
Fishery Improvement Project in Ecuador “has resulted in marked improvements in the stock status of six small pelagic species since it was established, according to an update provided by the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP), which helped to create the FIP two years ago.
NOVEMBER 21
Letters to the Editor: Marine ReserveNOVEMBER 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.
NOVEMBER 29
Fishermen urge that no step be taken to request to expand Galapagos marine reserve
NOVEMBER 30
Ecuadorian Plenary will analyze amendment on the Government of GalapagosThe Amendments Commission approved, this November 30, 2020, the report for the first debate on the constitutional amendment initiative that proposes the popular election of a government for the province of Galapagos, which will be chaired by the Regional Government Council. The amendment was proposed by Assemblyman Washington Paredes.
NOVEMBER 30
WWF asks Ecuador for good management of tuna populationsA 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.
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