Page 18: of Marine Technology Magazine (March 2022)

CONSERVATION GALÁPAGOS MARINE RESERVE

EXTENDED PROTECTION FOR MARINE

RESILIENCE AND BIODIVERSITY hile much of the COP26 coverage last year relayed world. By protecting biodiversity and minimizing pollution and an urgency to act swiftly before the planet reaches outside impacts, it is possible to increase the GMR’s ability to a point of no return, some moments of hope shone absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, withstand climate change and

Wthrough. One such announcement was made by contribute to the livelihood of the local communities.

Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso, who shared news of an Galápagos Conservation Trust, an organization that works expanded marine reserve, aiming to protect biodiversity and in- closely with the archipelago and protecting its marine species, crease productivity and, in turn, natural carbon sink processes. pointed out that the GMR also boasts one of the richest concen-

The current Galápagos Marine Reserve (GMR) stands at trations of biodiversity in the world. It’s home to a wide range of roughly 130,000 sq. km, with an additional 60,000 sq. km pro- permanent and migratory species like hammerhead, whale, and posed. The expansion includes what is known as the Cocos-Ga- Galápagos sharks, green sea turtles, various tropical seabirds, lápagos Swimway, a “no-take” migratory marine highway that Galápagos penguins and countless kinds of ? sh. The Cocos- stretches 30,000 sq. km and connects the GMR with protected Galápagos Swimway holds equally signi? cant importance; as waters around Cocos Island off the coast of Costa Rica. The two a migratory swimway, the area links the Ecuadorian and Costa countries, along with Panama and Colombia, have also agreed Rican MPAs and provides a safe corridor through which ? sh, to link their respective marine protected areas (MPAs) to create marine mammals and other migratory species can pass. the Eastern Tropical Paci? c Marine Corridor, one of the largest The expansion holds enormous signi? cance for environmental

MPAs in the world. conservation and in the ? ght against climate change. Protected

The news arrived in a timely manner as environmental ex- oceans mean higher productivity, thriving biodiversity and a perts and organizations grapple with the challenge outlined at healthier environment—something that Ecuador knows well.

COP26 of keeping global temperatures below the 2°C mark by “Today is a day that will remain in history for us, Ecuador, Ga- 2050. Marine reserves, which are high in biological productiv- lápagos and the world,” Lasso shared at COP26, according to a ity thanks to protected species and limited human disruption, New York Times article. “We are not only preserving the future serve as signi? cant carbon sinks. The archipelago also sits at of our country, but the entire humanity.” the intersection of three ocean currents and El Niño, a climate phenomenon impacting weather patterns and events around the By Celia Konowe

The new marine reserve can be seen in yellow (no long-lining) and grey (no take-zone).

© Diego Cocha

President Guillermo Lasso signing the of? cial degree to expand the Galápagos

Marine Reserve. © Mission Blue/courtesy: Galápagos Conservation Trust - image is public domain.

18 March/April 2022

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