The Charles Darwin Research Station has implemented an ecological monitoring project of the Galapagos sea lion. The overall goal is to determine the current state and abundance of the sea lions and fur seals in Galapagos in order to set the baseline for monitoring and evaluating the extent of the fisheries by-catch mortalities, impacts and natural cycles; and to evaluate the interaction related with human activities.
The fluctuating environmental conditions of the Islands, plus the increase of human activities and their waste (hooks, propellers, nets, capes, etc.) are factors that affect the groups of animals which inhabit the Galapagos Marine Reserve, including sea lions, penguins, albatross, sea turtles, and others. This is also a potentially growing problem due the promotion of deep-water tuna and billfish fisheries to supply international markets. Sea lions and fur seals are victims of the by-catch produced by long-lines, nets and other fishing mechanisms.
The threats to the Galapagos sea lion (Zalophus wollebaeki) and the Galapagos fur seal (Archtocephalus galapagoensis) are particularly significant due to their relatively small populations (20,000 to 30,000 individuals), and their main colonies and feeding areas are in zones where the human activities are developing. 94 reports registered between 1997, 1998 and the beginning of 1999, show that the interaction was more frequent with hooks (27%). In those “accidents” the category most affected were juveniles between 1 to 3 years old (67%).
Activities include:
- Continuation of population monitoring of the Galapagos sea lion (Zalophus wollebaeki) and to implement similar monitoring for the Galapagos fur seal population (Arctocephalus galapagoensis).
- Establish a project of Sighting Logs through a bi-institutional effort (GNP and CDRS), to improve the compilation of information from observers and users of the Galapagos Marine Reserve. The sightings recorded would include marine mammals sightings (whale, dolphins, and porpoises) entanglement animals, fishery activities and general observation done by scuba-dive guides (sharks, rays, sea turtles, and other).
Objectives:
- To determine the current size, structure, and distribution of the sea lion and fur seal populations in Galapagos
- To provide information on location of individual sea lions and fur seals entangled or hooked
- To develop simple rescue methods for sea lions or fur seals in trouble
Monitoring of the sea lion population has begun, but the success of this program depends on the comprehensiveness of data throughout the islands. The overall project is planned to last two years. The first year will be focused on concretely establishing and implementing a full monitoring program to understand the status of the sea lions populations. This information will then be used to understand the connection between human activities and drops in sea lion populations, and developing methods to protect the Galapagos sea lions and fur seals.
This project has begun, but needs further funding to be able to continue. Learn how you can help save the sea lions of Galapagos!
The sea lion monitoring and conservation project is supported by the Heinz Sielmann Foundation.