Source: WildAid
GMR PATROLLING RESULTS FOR APRIL 2007

During the month of April, the Galapagos National Park Service (GNPS) made the following progress in halting illegal fishing within the Galapagos Marine Reserve:

• On Sunday 22nd April, the GNPS patrol vessel "Guadalupe River" intercepted the Tatiana II, a fishing boat from San Cristobal, and two small fiberglass launches ten miles north of the island Pinta employing long lines, which are prohibited in the Galapagos Marine Reserve. Upon inspection of the vessel, the Park Rangers observed 65 sharks, 18 lobsters, and 31 sally-light foot crabs. Both sharks and sally-light foot crabs are protected and there is a moratorium for the harvesting of the particular lobster species. In addition, only three of Tatiana's eleven crewmembers possessed GNPS-issued fishing permits. A total of five infractions were registered and now both administrative and penal processes will be initiated by the GNPS.

• On Sunday 15th April, the GNPS patrol vessel "Guadalupe River" discovered a large gillnet five miles southeast of Puerto Villamil, island of Isabela. The Park Wardens arrived just in time and were able to free two hammerhead sharks and a manta ray, but unfortunately they were too late to save three other sharks. The Park entered in pursuit of the fishermen, but was unable to apprehend them as night fell on the islands.

• At a different location on Sunday 15th April, Park Rangers discovered six large sacks containing gillnets off the western coast of Isabela. Gillnets are used for illegal shark fishing.

Sharks found by the "Guadalupe River" © Galapagos National Park Service

A gillnet used for shark fishing © Galapagos National Park Service

WildAid, in cooperation with partners, assists the poorly funded Galapagos National Park Service in ensuring the uninterrupted patrolling of the Marine Reserve by providing training, equipment, personnel, funding and the maintenance of oceanic vessels and the patrol plane.