Antarctican Precedent (9/22)
One thing Kip suggested was to research the government that Antarctica has in place, because the situation there might be something like the one we might try to create for the Galapagos. 7 countries claim territory on the Antarctican Continent, but most are not recognized by many countries, including the U.S. (not even the treaty that holds the governing body in effect (1959) recognizes these claims.) The continent is ruled by a 45 member governing body, 27 countries of which can vote, 18 of which can't. The preliminary articles of the treaty deal with issues like using the area for only peaceful operations, no nuclear testing or weapons, and only establishing scientific research outposts. It also allows any country in the UN to join, so it allows for cooperation with the UN and calls for the International Court of Justice to intercede if there are unresolvable disputes between countries. In 1991, a Protocol on Environmental Protection was created. It creates a Committee for Envoronmental Protection to advise countries in the Treaty if their proposed actions are harmful to the ecosystems of the Antarctic and to make sure their actions are consistent with the environmental principles of the treaty.
Key Points of the Protocol on Environmental Protection:
1) No mining  (Article 5)
2) No non-native species may be introduced without a permit (including things like fungi, bacteria, yeasts as well as plants and animals) (Annex II, article IV)
         Note: This includes the entire extent of the treaty, which extends to any lands or bodies of water under the 60degree-South latitude line.
3) waste products will be removed from the treaty area by the party responsible for the generation of said waste (special rules apply for discharge into the ocean, as long as it does not negatively affect the populations living there. Sewage must be disposed at least 12 nautical miles from shore, etc.) (Annex III and Annex IV)
(http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/About_Antarctica/Treaty/index.html)

RELATED THOUGHTS:  Because the Galapagos is under the sole control of the Ecuadorian govt, it would be hard to put such a governing body in charge of the Galapagos.  But this does serve as a model for some treaty which can be implemented. I'm not sure how much enforcement there is of this treaty and what penalties are for an infraction. It seems Japan has been whaling in the area under the pretense of 'scientific research," but one website suggests that treaty measures are strongly enforced, and other environmental organizations like WWF, the Sierra Club, and Greenpeace "take an active role in helping to protect this area."  (http://www.fathomexpeditions.com/explorer/wildlife/conservation.html)




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