Political Context

To address conservation challenges in the Galapagos it is important to fully understand the context in which local, national, and international political decisions are being made in and for Galapagos. This overview describes some aspects of the current political environment that affect Galapagos. Recent issues are listed first.

Recent events (2006-2007)

Constitutional reform

In the fall of 2007, Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa initiated a constitutional reform process which has become a major focus of national politics. Issues under discussion include decentralization of the political structure, the role of indigenous groups in the political process, rights to natural resources, and labor rights. This process has potentially important implications for Galapagos. Our colleagues at the Charles Darwin Foundation (LINK TO CDF) have presented a series of recommendations to the Constitutional Assembly highlighting the need for the constitution to recognize the intrinsic importance of Galapagos and its long-term preservation; establish limits to growth, land ownership, and investment rights in the archipelago; rethink the Provincial status of Galapagos; and reconstruct the system of public administration for management of Galapagos.

Leadership changes at the Galapagos National Park

The position of Park Director is critical in Galapagos. This person is responsible for overseeing the management of 97% of the archipelago’s land area as well as the 50,000 sq mile Marine Reserve. The Director is named by Ecuador’s Minister of Environment. Between 2003-2006, a period of political instability at the national level, 12 different individuals served as Park Director. In 2006 an open, merit-based process was designed to select the GNPS Director. This process is now underway for the second time, as Minister Marcela Aguinaga Vallejo oversees the search for a replacement for former director Raquel Molina, who was dismissed after serving only two years.

Commitment of the Correa administration

Since his election in 2006, President Rafael Correa has demonstrated a commitment to Galapagos conservation. In April 2007 Presidential Decree 279 declared Galapagos at risk and its conservation a national priority. Since that time, President Correa named a well-known Galapagos-born conservationist, Eliecer Cruz, to the position of Governor of Galapagos. He has streamlined decision-making by giving the National Institute of Galapagos (INGALA) a clearer authority and mandate for decision-making in the Archipelago. Government officials have begun to implement improved immigration controls and have discussed the possibility of returning non-residents to the mainland. The President has also called for the Governor, INGALA, GNPS, CDF, and representatives from the tourism industry to develop a new business model for tourism in Galapagos—one that is consistent with the long-term preservation of the islands. While considerable work remains, this level of constructive commitment from the national government has not been seen in almost a decade.

Ongoing issues and considerations

Political instability

Ecuador is a developing country with a lower-middle per capita income. While the country has enjoyed three decades of civilian rule, its democracy remains fragile. Political instability has been the norm in recent years: none of the last three elected presidents have finished their terms in office and eight presidents have served over the last ten years.

Provincial status

Galapagos was given Provincial status in 1973 (Ecuador has 22 provinces), which has had important implications for the Archipelago. Until the Special Law for Galapagos in 1998, provincial status made it difficult to limit activities of Ecuadorian nationals in the islands. It also created a complicated bureaucracy for a province with a small population in relation to the other provinces on the continent and gave Galapagos disproportional political clout in the National Congress. In past years, Galapagos congressmen have generally represented short-term economic interests over longer-term conservation needs.

The Special Law for Galapagos

In 1998, the National Congress and the Ecuadorian President passed the Special Law for the Preservation and Sustainable Development of Galapagos, which consolidated the National Park and Marine Reserve and provided a framework for conservation of the archipelago. Many aspects of the Special Law are not yet fully enforced or operational. For more information about the Special Law, click here.

The complex institutional framework

During Ecuador’s oil boom (1972-1983), the Ecuadorian government made significant investments in institutional and public infrastructure in Galapagos. Today, on a per capita basis, the islands receive more government funds than any of the nation’s other provinces. While some streamlining is taking place, decision-making in Galapagos is hampered by overlapping responsibilities and unclear mandates of dozens of governmental agencies and offices.

International aspects of Galapagos conservation

A number of important species in Galapagos, such as sea turtles, sharks, other pelagic fish species, and migratory birds such as the Galapagos albatross, move in and out of the boundaries of the Galapagos National Park and Marine Reserve. International markets for shark fins, sea cucumbers, and other marine species create lucrative markets and incentives for legal and illegal harvesting activities. Climate change, as well as pollution, industrial fishing, and disease issues occurring elsewhere are also having a dramatic impact on many of these species. The long-term protection of many Galapagos species will be impossible without political cooperation on an international scale.

Commenting is closed for this article.