Artisanal open water fishing - an alternative for the Galapagos fishing sector
June 2, 2004
The Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) believes that open water fishing is a viable alternative over the medium term for the Galapagos fishing sector. A sustainable open water fishery, however, will require clarification of several critical aspects. These aspects include defining target species, developing low impact fishing gear, ensuring adequate handling for optimum quality, developing storage and transport systems, effective marketing, and the development of a monitoring system and regulations consistent with the status of the Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR). At the same time, it is essential the authorities have the capacity to control this activity effectively.
"By satisfying these conditions, an open water fishery could be sustainable and meet the economic expectations of the fishermen," said Dr. Graham Watkins, CDF's executive director. "The development of sustainable fisheries in the Galapagos will need the support of the government and international partners and the will and flexibility of local marine reserve users to agree upon the best strategies for its development."
Established in 1998, the GMR is a multi-use reserve that permits fishing only by the local artisanal fishing sector. To date, fishing activity in the GMR has been mostly limited to the coastal zone and for this reason increased fishing effort has negatively affected coastal fisheries resources. In 2002, the users of the GMR proposed artisanal open water fishing to help reduce pressure on coastal areas and direct fishing effort toward pelagic, migratory species such as tuna.
According to the GMR Management Plan and Fishing Regulations, open water fishing is that which is carried out offshore, generally in deep water, and is subject to special regulations in terms of zoning, fishing gear, seasons, and target species.
"If developed, open water fishing will not provide opportunities for all fishermen in the archipelago," said Watkins. It is necessary to continue to develop initiatives including providing jobs for fishermen in tourism, developing small businesses for the local community and ensuring that existing coastal fisheries are sustainably managed.
Until now, Galapagos open water fishing studies have focused on the use of artisanal surface long lines, which result in high levels of by-catch of sharks and rays and, to a lesser extent, turtles and sea lions; species which are protected in the GMR and threatened on a global scale. "Our concern has always been to minimize the levels of by-catch of endangered species," said Watkins. In this context, CDF emphasizes the need to demonstrate that any new fishing method in the GMR must minimize by-catch and be sustainable in the long term.
"The Ecuadorian Government will play a decisive role in operationalizing an open water fishery as economically profitable, ecologically sustainable and socially fair, so supporting the conservation of the extraordinary coastal-marine ecosystem of the archipelago," said 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