JUNE 2020
In the Galápagos Islands
The event was originally recorded on video by naturalist guide Diego Barahona, in November 2018, while he was leading a group of tourists on South Plazas Island, according to a statement sent by the Charles Darwin Foundation.
Green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) are born in Galapagos, a species that is in danger of extinction. The Chelonia mydas species is categorized as endangered within the red list of the International union for Conservation fo Nature (IUCN). Photo: Courtesy DPNG
Also known as pájaro brujo or the witch bird, the bird has been considered endemic to the Galapagos Islands since 2016 and has been recorded in more than ten islands of the archipelago. However, its population in the upper part of Santa Cruz Island is limited to about 40 breeding pairs, which makes it one of the most vulnerable species in danger of extinction
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.“
JUNE 15
Team of specialists from the Autonomous University of Madrid recommend controlling tourist visits to Antarctica following reference models “such as the Galapagos National Park in Ecuador” in an investigation published in the Journal of Environmental ManagementDiego 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.
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.
SOS Galápagos | #sosgalapagos 