GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, Ecuador (4 Feb 2002) -- Just over a year after the oil spill that caused the worst ecological disaster since the Galapagos Islands became a major eco tourism destination, the rusting hulk of the oil tanker Jessica reminds visitors of what caused the spill: Tourism. On January 16, 2001, Jessica grounded on rocks in Shipwreck Bay near the eastern island of San Cristobal, spewing over 1.1 million liters of bunker fuel into the pristine marine habitats of the remote archipelago that Charles Darwin made famous. Miraculously, favorable currents and winds carried the oil slick out to sea and only four pelicans and two blue-footed boobies died, but the spill alerted the international community to the threat of humans, especially tourism, to the fragile ecosystems of the Galapagos. While Paul Watson of Sea Shepherd and a few other US-based environmental groups were quick to blame Jessica's captain and owner of the vessel, most of the international conservationist community understood that the real culprit was tourism. The bunker fuel was being delivered to tourist vessels that carry some 60,000 visitors annually and spend over $120 million. Puerto Ayora, the big town of the Galapagos, now 'boasts' internet cafes, restaurants and "I Love Boobies" T-shirt shops. Although tourism industry officials continue to insist that the islands are not being damaged, many scientists are alarmed. "When there is overcrowding at the visiting sites, then the species suffer the consequences," said Fernando Espinoza, head of the Charles Darwin Foundation for conservation of the islands. But despite the Jessica disaster and warnings from ecologists like Espinoza, hordes of tourists still flock to the Galapagos, tempted by giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies and playful sea lions. LONESOME GEORGE As tourism in the Galapagos rapidly developed into an industry that generates $120 million annually, it also attracted thousands of poor Ecuadoreans seeking jobs. In the late 1990s, the government finally banned further immigration after the population reached 18,000. While tourism represents a serious threat to the Galapagos, human impact on the islands is nothing new. During the 19th century, Darwin was not the only one interested in the unique wildlife of the archipelago. Whalers and pirates decimated giant tortoises that were stowed alive upside down in ship holds as a source of fresh meat. | | Galapagos oil spill killed at least 15,000 iguana. Despite some success protecting and regenerating giant tortoise populations, one of 11 subspecies, geochelone elephantophus abingdoni, will likely become extinct. The last of its kind, Lonesome George, was found 30 years ago on the Pinta island. Despite a $10,000 reward for a female tortoise of the same subspecies, none has ever been found. ILLEGAL FISHING While tourism officials and eco groups such as Sea Shepherd have ignored or played down environmental degradation related to tourism, damage caused by the fishing industry has been well documented and widely publicized. Over 400 local fishing boat operators have clashed with officials and harassed tourists over quotas designed to sustain endangered sea cucumbers and spiny lobsters. Illegal fishing by big industrial vessels from mainland Ecuador, Colombia, and Costa Rica as well as Asian ships is an even worse threat to sharks, mantas, turtles, sea lions and other species that are either targeted or die as by-catch in 40-kilometer long nets. WORLD HERITAGE SITE Last December, despite stiff opposition from local fishers and residents, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated the Galapagos marine reserve as a world heritage site. The islands were among the first 12 areas to receive UNESCO protection in 1978. Conservationists worldwide celebrated the decision that will give environmental groups and local ecologists more power to stop over-development by the tourism industry, over-fishing and illegal fishing. |
