www.ecuadors.org

[Kismet]

My partner and I were interested in going to Equador for a bit in April and wanted to see the Galapagos. However, my understanding is that tourism, even of the "eco" kind is seriously endangering and compromising the ecosystem and fauna of the islands.

Is this correct or am I being overcautious? We can most certainly give it a miss if we are only injuring the islands and their animal inhabitants.

PS: I understand the impact of travel in a general sense and don't need a lecture on "well why go anywhere at all"; it is evident that the Galapagos is a very unique, small and isolated ecosystem and small tourist visits can have a disproportionate impact.

Thanks!

[Jaakko]

Well, there are various pressures on the Galapagos. One factor which is having an impact is the growing permanent or semi-permanent population of the Islands. The Ecuadorians who move there are attracted by higher wages than they would find on the mainland, but the place is not really equipped to provide facilities for so many people, drinking water, sewage, importation of food, etc. The people obviously come to live there because it's the biggest tourist attraction Ecuador has and hence jobs are available.
Local fishermen want the right to fish more

Plus, in a general sense you have to fly to the Galapagos, and it is generally believed that flying is contributing to climate change.

If you decide to visit, one damaging factor you can easily avoid is introducing foreign species to the Islands - that includes any kind of fruit or seed.
You will also be told by the guide to stick to the paths, not to wander off, not to touch any of the animals and not to pick any flowers or plants.

You could also consider that when you enter the Galapagos, you pay a sustantial entrance fee which contributes to the protection and upkeep of the Islands, and that the money you spend there enters the Ecuadorian economy, supporting a poor country.

I really can't tell you what to do - I went to the Galapagos and it was truly amazing. But, as I said elsewhere recently, I won't return - I've had my "turn" and I don't want my presence to do any damage. It was a once-in-a-lifetime thing.

[Tawnya]

Any tourism is ecologicaly damaging, but Ecuador shoud at least get a C for effort. The population spread is limited, because migration is prohibited. Only two islands allow inhabitation. Even Ecuadorian citizens from the mainland can only stay up to 3 monthes per year and cannot establish an islands business. New businesses by locals are limited to government approval. Since the number of tourists are limited, tourist business limitations are to insure that the pie is equally distributed amongst existing. Increases in population is strictly internal, though due to large families this will create future problems.

There have been a couple of tourist boat- related oil spills which have raised eyebrows, but shit happens. Nothing catastrophic. Bigger concerns are over the overfishing and poaching by locals and illegal foreign boats alike. This includes endangered marine species which always seem to draw high prices in asian markets (ie. - sea cucumbers, shark fins). The navy does not have enough boats and budget to adequately patrol the huge area involved. Of course, now they say that seafood will globally disappear in 50 years, so this makes the local problem seem rather insignificant.