Authorities and Stakeholders Continue Search for a Responsible and Economically Viable Open Water Fishery for the Galapagos Fishing Sector
July 4, 2005
The Inter-Institutional Management Authority (IMA) announced the prohibition of the use of surface long lines (at depths less than 60 meters) in the Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR) during meetings with the stakeholders of the marine reserve held on June 29 and 30 in Guayaquil . The AIM based the decision on the results of pilot studies of long lining carried out between 1994 and 2003 by the National Fisheries Institute, Galapagos National Park, the local fishing sector and the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF).
"The technical reports demonstrated the impact of this type of fishing which has high levels of by-catch of protected species including sharks and marine turtles," says Graham Watkins, CDF's executive director who attended the meetings as an advisor.
The use of long lines in the GMR had been under discussion for several years pending the analysis of the results of the pilot studies. Last week's decision means that any future proposal to evaluate the possible use of long lines within the GMR must consider setting long lines with the hooks deeper than 60 meters. "Sharks and marine turtles are generally more abundant in the first 60 meters of the water column," says Watkins. "Studies in other parts of the world show that the risk of being caught on hooks is reduced if hooks are deployed at greater depths."
During the meetings, the Participatory Management Board (PMB), which is made up of the local stakeholders of the reserve, presented a report on a proposal being developed to analyze the feasibility and commercial viability of open water fishing for large pelagic fish. The IMA asked the PMB to provide additional technical details within 30 days, at which time it would review the proposal and make a decision regarding its implementation and funding.
"The IMA has asked the PMB to develop a well-structured, technical proposal that covers fishing methods as well as the commercial aspects of the fishery, the latter being crucial in order to develop a sustainable business directed towards a responsible market," says Watkins. "A critical issue in the development of an open water fishery is to understand where the products are to be sold. Unless a market for high value, low volume product is identified, it will be difficult to overcome the problems of distance to the market and the lack of economies of scale within the artisanal fishery."
Economist Carlos Carrión, the head of INGALA, and Grace Unda, the Governor of the Province of Galapagos attended the meeting as observers. "Their presence illustrates the transparency of the process, and the interest and cooperation of all the provincial institutions in the search for solutions for fisheries management in the Galapagos Marine Reserve," says Watkins.
Press Contact:
Charles Darwin Research Station
Galapagos-Ecuador
E-mail: cdrs@fcdarwin.org.ec
Visit: www.darwinfoundation.org
Phone/Fax: 393-5-526-147/146