Conservation efforts
Posted September 21st, 2008 by Bob the Sea LionThere are various solutions to the problems
facing the Galápagos Islands. One extreme
view is to prohibit all colonization and tourism
– an option that appeals to few. Many
colonists act responsibly and actively oppose
the disruptive and dangerous tactics of the
protesting fishermen. The tourist industry
is important for Ecuador’s economy, and the
best solution is a combination of environmental
education for both residents and visitors
and a program of responsible tourism.
By law, tour boats must be accompanied
by certified naturalist guides that have been
trained by the National Park Service. In reality
however, guides on less expensive boats
may lack any kind of certification and there
are very few Naturalist III Guides – the most
qualified, usually multilingual, universityeducated
biologists with very real interests
in preserving and explaining wildlife –
left working in the islands. This is mostly
due to the fact that the qualifying exams
have not been given for years, after mostly
local guides – who tended to not do as well
on the tests – came together to change the
laws in order to keep foreigners out of the
guide game. Some local Naturalist II guides
were also bumped up to level III without
having to meet the demanding criteria. In
2000 a level one course and exam, open only
to Galápagos residents, was given.
On the cheapest boats, guides may speak
little English and may know less about the
wildlife. Some of the interested parties, including
several tour boat companies are
pushing to reinstate the exams, open them
to mainlanders and foreigners, and in general
to reinvigorate the quality and number
of guides working in the islands.
Visitors to the islands are restricted to the
official visitor sites. Important park rules
protect wildlife and the environment; these
are mostly a matter of courtesy and common
sense: don’t feed or handle the animals;
don’t litter; don’t remove any natural
object (living or not); do not bring pets;
and do not buy objects made of sea lion
teeth, black coral, tortoise or turtle shells, or
other artifacts made from plants or animals.
You are not allowed to enter the visitor sites
after dark or without a qualified guide, and
a guide will accompany every boat. On all
shore trips, the guide will be there to answer
your questions and show you the best sites – and also to ensure that you follow
park rules.
Tags: Galapagos
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