Message from Galapagos Conservancy
June 28, 2007

UNESCO decision to list Galapagos as a
World Heritage Site in Danger

Galapagos Conservancy joins with the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) in support of the  UNESCO decision to inscribe Galapagos as a World Heritage Site in danger. Placing Galapagos on the list emphasizes and reinforces the April decision of the Government of Ecuador to declare Galapagos at risk and as a national priority for conservation.

These two declarations are critical steps in moving forward a shared local, national, and international agenda to ensure the long term conservation and sustainable development of the islands.

Economic development in Galapagos is growing at an unprecedented rate with tourism as the driving force. The resulting immigration and increased demand for fuel, goods, water, and public services has in turn lead to a more than doubling of the numbers of flights in the last five years. The decreased isolation of the islands increases the potential for the introduction and spread of invasive species - the greatest threat to the biodiversity of Galapagos. 

There are now 1,321 introduced species in Galapagos compared to 112 identified in 1990. These include 748 species of introduced plants, compared to 500 species of native plants and at least 490 species of introduced insects. The risk of the arrival of pathogens such as West Nile Virus, insect pests, and new predators is now high. Dengue-carrying mosquitoes and some avian diseases are recent arrivals to the islands.

Added to this, the greater energy requirements for tourism and the local population increases the risks of repeating the oil spill disaster of 2001.  Diesel and gasoline consumption have increased by 20% and 45% respectively in the last five years alone and the number of clients for electricity in Santa Cruz has increased by 35% since 2001.  

Despite the fragility and rapidly diminishing isolation of the Galapagos, there is some good news. The Galapagos National Park Service, with support from the Charles Darwin Foundation, has shown they are world leaders in the management of invasive species and restoration of endangered species and habitats.

More than ever, Galapagos needs effective leadership and strong support to achieve the vision of a sustainable and equitable society living in harmony with nature.  The declarations by the President of Ecuador and UNESCO are critical initial steps in this process of change. 

###