12.000 – Objective One

1. Brief History of the Galapagos Islands

A. Historical Perspective

It is speculated that some Incans may have visited the islands in the 15^th century, but the first recorded sighting of the islands was in 1535 by the Panaman bishop Fray Tomás de Berlanga. He was sailing from Panama to Peru when his ship was caught in a dead calm. They drifted westward with the currents until they reached the Galapagos Islands. They were astounded by the size of the giant tortoises they found there. Berlanga noticed that the shells of the tortoises had a resemblance to a galápago (Spanish for the riding saddles used on horses). In 1546 a group of Pizzaro’s rebellious soldiers fled from the mainland after a failed coup and attempted to leave for the Galapagos. Through the night fog they thought the islands were moving and that they had been enchanted. From then on the islands were known as ‘Las Encantadas,’ or the enchanted ones. In 1570 they were included on a chart by the explorer Ortelius as the Insulae de los Galopegos.’

For the next two hundred years, pirates roamed the islands. The Galapagos provided a perfect base for the renegades to attack helpless Spanish ships. Due to hostility between the Spanish Armada and the English Navy, pirates were encouraged by the English to ransack the rich Spanish trade ships. They used tortoises as food, as they could be stacked upside down on ships and survive up to a year without food. Infamous pirates, like Davis and Cook, commonly stopped at the islands. William Ambrose Cowley renamed the islands after English royalty and common terms on what became the first navigational charts of the islands. Eventually whalers came to the islands nearly hunting whales to extinction. By the 19^th Century, the populations of tortoises and whales had nearly been wiped out.

Throughout the 1800s the Galapagos saw many efforts at settlements. Attempts at building penal colonies for mutineers and criminals failed, and small attempts by a few brave settlers tended to fail. In 1823, Ecuador separated from Colombia and became a sovereign nation. They annexed the Galapagos Islands and began to manage the area. In 1835, Charles Darwin arrived and gathered data that would lead him to his famed On the Origin of Species by Natural Selection in 1859. The islands were finally officially made a province of Ecuador in 1973.

B.  History of Management of the Galapagos

In 1934, the National Assembly of Ecuador gathered and, seeing the uniqueness of the environment of the Galapagos, passed protective legislation creating wildlife sanctuaries on the islands. In July 1959 97% of the islands and 50,000 square miles of surrounding ocean was declared as protected, and an organization for scientist and conservationists, the Charles Darwin Foundation, was founded (WHN, 1999).

In 1967 the Galapagos National Park Service was formed, and in 1978 UNESCO placed Galapagos on the World Heritage List. This brought significant international pressure towards taking care of this unique environment. The importance of preserving the ocean as well led to the formation of the Marine Reserve in 1986 extending the protected sea area 15 nautical miles off the coast. The Law of Special Regime for the Conservation and Sustainable Development of the Province of Galapagos, in 1998, contemplated the expansion of the Marine Reserve to cover 40 nautical miles from the coastline. It is now critical to ensure that there are adequate resources to ensure effective implementation of these laws (WHC, 1999).

There are five main authorities controlling and monitoring the Galapagos and surrounding waters (BOE, 2001):

1. Municipalities, local authorities and provincial councils facilitate and aid the local inhabitants on all islands.

2. The Navy patrols all waters surrounding the islands to enforce the policies about fishing and tourism.

3. Galapagos National Institute (INGALA) is constituted as the technical advisory body of the institutions in the islands. Furthermore, it is the planning and coordinating regional entity of the province of Galapagos, monitored by the President of Ecuador. (The National Congress, 1998).

4. The National Park Services controls 97% of the parklands and is under control of the Ministry of Environment, which is also responsible for tourism.

5. The Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora provides knowledge and support to ensure the conservation of the environment and biodiversity of the Galapagos through scientific research and complementary actions.

2. The Position of Galapagos Islands as Part of Ecuador

Galapagos is a province of Ecuador. The head of the province is a Governor, representative of the President of the Republic, who coordinates and controls the policies of the national government and directs the activities of civil employees and representatives in the province (Ecuadorian Department of State, 2003). The provinces have total autonomy and are much responsible for their economic and social development and the handling of the natural resources, though the permanent national objectives in economic and social matters are established on a national level. The policy of the State of Ecuador is to protect and conserve the ecosystems in Galapagos Islands (Dobkowski, 2001).

The Ecuadorian constitution also gives Galapagos a position as a special regime. Special regimes have their own territorial administration based on their special demographic and environmental nature. Because of the declaration as a special regime, Galapagos can limit the rights of internal migration, work and any activity that may affect the environment. The residents of the respective area, affected by the limitation of the constitutional rights, will be compensated by means of the preferred access to the benefits of available natural resources. Other sectors will be governed in agreement with which they are established in the Constitution (Ecuadorian Department of State, 2003).

The Galapagos National Park Service is responsible for making the provincial planning, approves the budgets of the dependent and independent organizations, and controls their execution. Park service is also an advisory body for the governor, provincial prefect, mayors, and other institutions that the law establishes. (Ecuadorian Department of State, 2003)

3. Current NGO’s operating on the Galapagos

Currently, the Galapagos boasts a large amount of international support from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) across the world. The Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF), a main player in the organization and funding of the Galapagos, currently draws together support from many NGOs across the world. It is involved in the Friends of the Galapagos organization based in Zurich, Switzerland. The Friends of the Galapagos donates much needed funds to the CDF. Its members include the Frankfurt Zoological Society, the Galapagos Conservation Trust, Stichting Vrienden van de Galapagos Eilanden, and over ten thousand others. Last year, the organization donated more than seven thousand Swiss Francs to the CDF. This accounts for more than one eighth of the CDF’s total income. The CDF then sends the money it receives to its Charles Darwin Research Station (CDFS). The CDFS uses the money to promote education of the local population, study the Galapagos’ unique habitat, and preserve the Galapagos in coordination with the Galapagos Park Service. Other NGOs also donate money to the Galapagos through other means, such as donating funds directly to the Ecuadorian Ministry of the Environment, where upon it is distributed to the Galapagos Park Service and other organizations.

Other NGOs choose to donate their services in other manners. The New Era Galapagos Foundation dedicates itself to “conserve the Galapagos Islands by empowering local residents through educational programs and environmental action projects. Our approach is twofold: to promote and provide educational alternatives while helping develop an appreciation and respect for the natural environment and biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands” (“Our mission”). The Ocean Alliance is attempting to do research on the marine life in the region. Some organizations, like the New Era Galapagos Foundation are attempting to educate the populace and raise their standard of living. Other are attempting scientific study of the region in order to better the global understanding about this unique environment. While each of the NGOs operating within the Galapagos has a different specific objective and a different way to operate, many of them are attempting to conserve the Galapagos in one way or another.

NGOs can serve many different functions. New Horizons “is the NGOs’ NGO, so to speak. Working with NGOs and not-for-profit organizations of all stripes, New Horizons provides a variety of them with the labor, donations, toys, books, and medicine that they need to effectively make a positive change in the lives of underprivileged Ecuadorians. Working in all corners of Ecuador and Galapagos, New Horizons spearheads and assists in a wide variety of social, educational, community development, environmental, business, and healthcare projects.”

Furthermore, the United Nations has been very active in the preservation of the Galapagos. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), placed the Galapagos Archipelago on the World Heritage List. The United Nations Development Programs (UNDP) is currently spearheading a project called Removal of Barriers to Renewable Electrification of the Galapagos Archipelago in order to provide a renewable source of electricity. The project plans to ascertain and eliminate current obstacles to developing renewable sources of energy. Basically, the program must come up with a way to replace diesel power generation.

4. Current Problems

The current problems regarding the management and operation of NGO’s on the Galapagos Islands are the following:

A. Lack of resources and funding

It seems obvious that the biggest problem facing the NGO’s and administration on the Galapagos is a lack of sufficient resources. This was also addressed as a concern by Assistant Minister of Environment during a brief interview with Sebastian Castro.                    Moreover, it is also recognized as a concern by UNESCO’s World Heritage Nomination Boards IUCN Technical Evaluation: “The Bureau expressed the urgency for further strengthening of management, particularly on enforcement activities,” continuing, “Despite all the other areas of progress, the lack of sufficient enforcement has led to a continued over-fishing which is a major threat to Galapagos marine environment.“ (WHN, 1999).

Oil spill Jessica in the year 2001 exposed that Ecuadorian resources were insufficient to handle such catastrophes. Luckily the damages were less than expected, but there has been a lot of discussion and planning how to manage similar situations in the future.

The current NGO’s are operating with minimal budgets. One of the largest ones actually concretely performing research on the Islands is Charles Darwin Foundation with the annual budget of $4.9M (2004). Besides that, there are a few smaller organizations, but their individual contributions are far less. Their ability to influence the decision making process is very limited due their fragmentation; thus it is difficult for the voice of preservation to be heard.

B. Internal problems within the administration in all levels

a. Corruption

b. Bureaucracy

c. Inefficient use of funds

d. Rivaling interest groups driving the government

e. Opposition Congress

f. Government’s attitude towards international efforts bad

There are several concerning issues regarding the operation of the Ecuadorian government and the administration on the Galapagos Islands. A key issue affecting the creation of a viable approach to preserving the islands is the understandable objections of the Ecuadorian government to allow an outside international organization maintain the islands with its own autonomy. Unfortunately this severely limits the magnitude of the effects of efforts to preserve the parks. At times, the government can be inconsistent in their reaction to international support. They are typically willing to accept monetary donations, but are hesitant towards granting foreign organizations a greater role in maintaining the park.

C. Lack of respect towards regulations and laws

a. Implementation of enacted laws

b. Enforcement of regulations

Related to the problems mentioned above, there are internationally recognized serious problems in the implementation and enforcement of current regulations and laws. For example, “both the Navy and the marine unit of the GNP have intercepted a number of vessels and discouraged others but prosecutions have been few and illegal fishing continues. Even worse, the Navy has allowed the release of several seized vessels which has implicated them in the illegal fishing business and reduced the Government’s credibility in enforcing the law.” (WHN, 1999)

Moreover, due to conditions mentioned above, there are still serious threats facing the marine population: “Annual monitoring reports on the illegal commercial fisheries in the GMR show that many thousands of sharks have been taken out of Galapagos waters and that long-lining for other finfish have had severe effects on many other species. Moreover, the loosely regulated controls on sea cucumber harvesting have led to a precipitous decline in the population which may never recover to sustainable levels.” (WHN, 1999)

D. Lack of transparency and in the data produced

There are no statistics existing regarding the critical information on the Galapagos Islands available to the general public. Such information is important when trying to build confidence and general approving atmosphere towards the conservation efforts on the Islands.

E. Social tension between various groups acting on the Islands

There have been several alarming incidents on the Islands involving the local community. In the 2004, nearly 30 armed fishermen assaulted offices maintained by the Galapagos Park Service and the Charles Darwin Research Station. They demanded that the restriction on fishing sea cucumbers be removed, despite the environmental implications. They were strictly opposed to the government limiting the number of sea cucumbers they could harvest during the sixty day fishing season. Meanwhile, a counter protest was launched against the fishermen by supporters of the Galapagos Park Service and Charles Darwin Research Station. Those protestors were forced to disburse by police men, however, the fishermen were allowed to remain. While the fishermen’s “protest” would eventually end eight days after it began, the Environmental Ministry. However, despite the fishermen’s efforts, the Ecuadorian Constitutional tribunal finally ruled that they would continue imposing limits in order to preserve the islands’ biodiversity and maintain the sea cucumber population.

F. Environmental Concerns

a. Illegal and over fishing

b. Illegal camping

c. Human pressure caused by the growing population with estimated annual growth of 8.5% per year mostly on account of immigration (WHN, 1999)

d. Growing tourism industry

e. Impact from introduced from exotic flora and fauna

5. Goals

Our goals regarding developing a sustainable preservation strategy on the Islands:

a.   To establish a stable administration

b.   To increase the local involvement and pride in the ecosystem

c. To secure the implementation of current laws

d. To come up with ways to raise global and local interest and awareness

e. To find ways to make international effort more viable

f. To attempt to influence Ecuadorian policy in a manner that will best serve to preserve the environment.

6. A Policy Mechanism

A. Introduction

The most effective organization that can implement the solutions to the problems of the Galapagos while also achieving the aforementioned goals is a non-governmental one. Government organizations such as the United Nations have incredible power, but with strings of sovereignty attached. When the international community wants to dabble in the affairs of Ecuador, resentment and poor cooperation can often result. However recent events in the Galapagos have provided an interesting example of a possible policy mechanism.

When Ecuadorian president Gutierrez decided to fire GNP director Naula, many conservation groups such as World Wildlife Foundation, put a hold on funding the park and indirectly the Ecuadorian government. After protests on both sides, the park rangers eventually won and Cepeda (a potential political puppet for Gutierrez and the fishing industry) was not appointed as the new park director. More importantly, the president has agreed to meet with these conservation groups in deciding who will be the new park director (“Park Rangers End Strike”)

We can further see that there are multiple organizations (primarily NGO's) that are responsible for the fiscal well being of the GNP and Marine Reserve. What if there existed some sort of international organization that acted as an alliance of funds to the park, one that could yield incredible bargaining power over the fishing industry and other aspects of the Ecuadorian government? The advantages to such a group would be tremendous. Issues of sovereignty, hegemony, and international meddling would be treated with more care than if an international governmental organization dictated rules to Ecuador.

In accordance to his approach, the non-governmental organization ORGALA was created.

B. Mission Statement

The purpose of ORGALA is to unite non-governmental organizations worldwide in a common interest of preserving and protecting the delicate and incalculably precious ecosystem of the Galápagos archipelago and surrounding waters. ORGALA will distribute critical funds to organizations who are working in and around the Galápagos in an efficient and well advised manner to maximize the positive impact on the preservation effort for the Galápagos.  ORGALA will also strive to work closely with local and national Ecuadorian officials to bring about urgent changes of policy and commitment to the ecosystem of the Galápagos.  Finally, recognizing the essential part that education plays in the effort to protect the environment, ORGALA will encourage and support institutions that educate the public on the archipelago and elsewhere on the nature of the priceless ecology of the Galápagos.

C. Goals of ORGALA

This organization and the constituents therein, recognize the threat posed to the environment of the Galapagos Islands.  These threats include human activities such as fishing, poaching, touring, and developing on the islands.  While this organization recognizes the Ecuador’s sovereignty over these islands, this organization will provide funding for specific issues that it wishes to resolve, both in terms of methodology and timeliness.  This organization will encourage and require input from the Ecuadorian government; however, it will remain as an independent organization with its own structure and schedule.

ORGALA will aim to protect the environment of the Galapagos Islands by taking measures that it deems necessary by providing research, funding, and workers to carry out its goals.  ORGALA will aim to contribute funds to existing programs and for new programs that may be created. This organization will oversee all the programs in which it sponsors to ensure funding is directed accordingly to its goals.  ORGALA will work hard with the Ecuadorian government to ensure a coordinated effort to protect the environment.  ORGALA will promote education of the residents of the Galapagos Islands as well as the residents of Ecuador to promote awareness of the unique environment of the Galapagos Islands.

D. Bylaws of ORGALA

1. Membership

i. Entrance into ORGALA of new organizations will be decided by a two-thirds majority vote of the current representative board of ORGALA.

ii. The board must evaluate each potential entrant according to the following formula:

n Non-profit, non-governmental status

n Evidence of a strong, concrete basis of activism, concern, or support for the environment.

n A history of support for the environmental protection of the Galápagos, or a clear commitment to do so in the future.

n Commitment to give a minimum annual donation of $15,000 US dollars to the treasury of ORGALA.

2. General Assembly

i. The General Assembly is composed of the scientific panel, the board of representatives, and any participating organization that lacks voting privileges.

ii. All proposals are originated and passed by the General Assembly.

3. Scientific Panel

i. Each member organization must provide a scientist who will serve on the scientific panel of ORGALA.  The scientist must be given a 5 year tenure during which the sponsoring organization must not alter his pay without consent or exert any other coercing influence on his actions within the panel.  It is essential that the scientist may vote his conscience.

ii. Confirmation of a scientist into the scientific panel requires that the scientist fulfill the following qualifications:

n A masters or Ph.D. in an environmental science field from an accredited university.

n Significant work in environmental field.

n A history of environmental

iii. A scientist cannot be removed by the panel of scientists except by two-thirds vote of the scientific panel - such an action can be taken in the case of misconduct or neglect of responsibilities.

iv. In the scientific panel, each scientist will be allowed one vote.

v. The scientific panel has the power to both draft and amend proposals.

3. Board of Representatives

i. Every member will send representatives equivalent in number or voting power proportional to the amount donated to ORGALA by each respective member.

ii. Proportional representation will require that after each fiscal year, allotment of votes reflect the changes in the total percentage donated to ORGALA by a member organization.

iii. Members of the board of representatives shall have the power to amend proposals.

4. The passage of proposals

i. Proposals must originate in the scientific panel.

ii. In order for a proposal to become policy in ORGALA requires a simple majority in both the scientific panel and the board of representatives.

iii. Any amendments to a proposal must pass both the board of representatives and the scientific panel.

iv. In the case of a tie in the scientific panel, the board of representatives will be the sole deciding body, and in the case of a tie in both bodies, the executive director will cast the deciding vote.

v. A member organization may not vote in a measure that involves funds to be given to that organization. Therefore, only a simple majority of the remaining groups’ votes will be required.  In such a measure where ORGALA funds are donated to a member of ORGALA, the executive director must cosign the measure in order for it to become policy

vi. Quorum will be two-thirds of the member organizations.

vii. A Quorum must be established before any passage of proposals can occur.

5. Meetings

i. The General Assembly shall be meet at least once a month either physically or remotely by teleconference or through some secure medium.

ii. The executive director shall act as Chairman at each meeting.

iii. An emergency meeting can convene at the request of one fourth of all member organizations, or by the executive director. Such a meeting must occur within two weeks of a finalized request.

iv. At least annually the members must convene a meeting with a quorum present physically.

v. Within every five years at least one meeting must be held either in Ecuador or it’s province of the Galapagos.

6. Executive Actions

i. The Executive Director shall act as President of ORGALA and Chairman of the General Assembly.

ii. The executive director shall be chosen by the Charles Darwin Foundation. The Charles Darwin Foundation is at liberty to send any representative it deems fit for the post of President of ORGALA. It must be noted however, that the representative must be an employee of CDF. A PhD is mandatory for the position, and it is also required that the candidate have had some previous experience in administration with the CDF or elsewhere.

iii. The President is responsible for disbursing funds exactly as the policy of ORGALA instructs him or her to do even in cases when the president is responsible for casting the determining vote.

iv. A two thirds vote in both the representative board and the scientific panel is required to have the CDF replace the executive director of ORGALA with another competent applicant for whatever circumstance the representative board deems it necessary or in the case the executive director resigns or is not able to complete the responsibilities of his office.

v. The executive director may, if he or she wishes, appoint a committee of members to see that the funds of ORGALA are managed efficiently, to give reports to the representative body on the financial status of ORGALA, or to make recommendations on financial actions, or he may carry out those responsibilities alone.

vi. The executive director may, if he or she wishes, create positions to aid in carrying out executive duties.

7. Founding Members

i. The Charles Darwin Foundation shall select the first members that will then select representatives and scientists.

ii. Every founding member must have already been a previously existing organization that has donated and played an active role in the Galapagos for a minimum of one year.

8. Amendment of the Bylaws

i. Changes to the bylaws of ORGALA may be proposed by any voting member of the General Assembly.

ii. Amendments to the bylaws of ORGALA will only pass with at least two-thirds majority.

E. Advantages

ORGALA, an organization made of the NGOs with a common goal would provide a strong voice about the ecological sanctity of the Galapagos Islands.  The unity created by ORGALA, greater than the sum of individual parts, will have the political and economic influence necessary to protect the fragile ecosystems.  Each NGO would be provided with a voice that would contribute to the organization and strengthen the cause of each NGO in the organization.  Whereas all the NGOs will see their influence increase, larger and smaller NGOs may see benefit in different ways.

            By joining ORGALA, Larger NGOs will see a tremendous increase in their political influence, for they are organizing a unified front for the protection of the Galapagos Islands.  While some individual NGOs have, in the past, already been able to change policies by controlling the funding, with a united front, they will be able to continue to do so, but more effectively and efficiently.  Their will be greater recognition from around the world to both this organization and the concern for the environment as a whole.  In addition, ORGALA will provide a forum to promote communication between individual NGOs.  Members of the scientific panel will have the advantage of meeting and exchanging their ideas – possibly with different perspectives and different expertises – to find the best possible solution to a given problem.

            The smaller NGOs will realize an increase economic power that they would not have independently.  They will have a voice in an organization aimed to fulfill a common cause.  While some may worry about special interests, these NGOs will see their relative influence increase through the structure of the organization.  Each of these NGOs will see a greater proportional economic strength through ORGALA than if they acted independently. 

7. An Initial Preservation Strategy

1.   Working Within ORGALA

In the attempt to effectively and realistically implement a preservation strategy, one must realize the policy mechanism used by ORGALA. Money is either given directly to an already existing organization, who then implements the requests of ORGALA, a team is created by ORGALA to carry out the request, or Ecuador/INGALA is lobbied to have the request adopted as law.

ORGALA holds no direct political power due to the apolitical structure of the organization. Hence all regulations and changes in environmental law, such as that regarding implementation of ITQs, must be achieved through lobbying. Lobbyists are not included in a formalized office of ORGALA; however, lobbyists will be employed only through ORGALA in order to ensure that the interests of ORGALA are promoted fairly. This precaution is primarily to prevent member organizations that employ representatives to lawmakers from furthering their personal agendas under the name of ORGALA. Funds necessary for the employment of lobbyists shall be included as part of the administrative budget of ORGALA.

            Both “inside” and “outside” forms of lobbying shall be utilized in achieving the targeted legislation. “Inside” lobbying, which constitutes of direct persuasion of lawmakers, will be essential to shaping the specifics of such regulations and laws that are created. “Outside” lobbying consists primarily of generating popular support from constituents in order to exert pressure upon lawmakers. Based on previous experience, such pressures have on occasion played a substantial role in changing legislation. “Outside” lobbying may be most effective if combined or conducted in a cooperative manner with the educational component of the preservation strategy committee.

• Lobbyists are not formally a part of ORGALA but will be utilized to achieve regulations or other formal political changes outside of ORGALA’s control
• Lobbyists employed only by ORGALA to prevent member NGOs from furthering their own agendas under ORGALA’s name
• Funding for lobbyists included as part of ORGALA’s administrative budget
• Both “inside” and “outside” lobbying employed

“Outside” lobbying conducted in cooperation with educational component to further outreach and efficiency.

2. Major Efforts

The following are examples and rough drafts of possible proposals that ORGALA could adopt as part of an initial preservation strategy. Although some efforts  can be achieved directly, others will require the lobbying power of ORGALA as described above.

A. Education

Illiteracy and lack of sense of environmental protection constitute the main problem on the Galapagos Islands.

The courses should focus on environmental issues, and a stress on the importance of conservation of resources. Some universities in San Cristobal are providing such courses for a limited number of local students. We hope this can be expanded, so that everyone living in the islands can take the courses. These courses do not require literacy.

We hope we can improve the literacy rate on the Islands by providing education for children too.

Courses for children are mandatory. Courses will be on daily basis when it is non-fishing season and on weekly basis during the fishing season.

Also, fishermen would need to take courses about the environment in order to obtain the individual transferable quota for fishing.

B. Quota Management

The current common quota system promotes gold rush fishing in which fisherman compete with each other to catch fish the fastest.  This results in much more destructive fishing, as fishermen have no time for environmentally friendly methods.  Also, the fish they capture will get them less because huge quantities will be fished and sold at the start of the season, meaning the price will be much lower.  ITQs would dissolve the need to rush for fish, as each fisherman would be allotted part of the stock, and they will be able to sell the fish at a greater profit.  ITQs also have been found to promote a much greater sense of ownership of the fishery resource in the fishermen, which often results in an increased motivation to conserve and care for the well-being of the marine ecosystem.

Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) Management Plan for the Galápagos Fishery

All fishery catches in the Galápagos will be regulated by the distribution of individual quotas for each species by the Galápagos National Park Service (GNPS)

1. Nature of the ITQ

Each ITQ will specify a certain indivisible amount of total landing for a species.  The ITQ represents the privilege of the owner to fish that certain amount in a season.  The quotas may be bought and sold.

2. Allotment of the ITQs

A total catch amount for a species will be determined based on environmental sustainability.  Some fraction, perhaps ¾, of that total sustainable catch will be distributed to current fishing vessel operators and the rest will be available to be bought from the government.  No single operator should be allowed to hold more than some fraction of the total allowable catch in ITQs, perhaps no more than 10% (this would depend on the species in question).

The initial distribution of ITQs will go as follows:

50% of the total ITQs will be divided according to each operator’s average annual catch over the past 5 years.  Then 25% of the total ITQs will be given out by random drawing to operators who agree to certain provisions, such as unlimited open access of their vessels to GNPS rangers, the use of environmentally friendly fishing methods, etc.

In order for any operator to maintain his ITQs, he must, by the end of the second season of fishing his ITQs have completed at least 30 hours at an accredited university in a course related to the marine environment.

3. Restrictions and Revocation of ITQs

The GNPS will reserve the right to revoke without compensation the ITQs held by any operator found to misrepresent of falsify his catch reporting, fish in restricted areas, engage in high-grading, or willfully violate any other regulation designed to protect the ecosystem.  The operator in question must have a hearing before a panel produced by the GNPS with legal representation present before revocation is possible.  If the panel finds the operator acted out of ignorance rather than willful neglect, they may order him to take a class in a marine ecology and prove his understanding of the regulations coupled with a temporary suspension of ITQs.  If the ITQs are indeed revoked, the operator may re-purchase ITQs if any remain at the start of the next season.

Any operator, who provides direct evidence of the violation of one of the aforementioned regulations that result in the revocation of an operator’s ITQs will receive 50% of the violating operator’s ITQs, provided he does not exceed the maximum limit on percent share of the total sustainable catch.

In the event of an ecological crisis involving the species in question, the GNPS reserves the right to suspend any ITQs after 30 days notice to all holders of ITQs.  If the suspension continues for more than one season, the
GNPS must upon request either refund the suspended operators’ ITQs for their original value or give them any available ITQs of equivalent value in another fishery.

The GNPS is not responsible for buying operators’ ITQs except during a suspension, but they must exchange ITQs upon request for ITQs in different fisheries, of course without exceeding the determined total sustainable catch.

4. Annual reevaluation of total quota

The total sustainable fishing quota out of which ITQs are divided must be reevaluated after each fishing season, and the quantity each ITQ represents can be altered to fit a larger or smaller quota allotment.  In the case of an increased allotment, the GNPS may also opt to sell more ITQs rather then alter the value of each existing one.

C. Invasive Species

There exists over the spread of the islands a population of over 500 species of alien flora, fauna, and micro fauna. In this document, ORGALA authorizes the allocation of funds for the following endeavors in ridding the Galápagos habitat of invasive species:

· Funds will be provided to hire a small team of scientists to aid the Charles Darwin Foundation and the National park service. Currently many projects of alien species control are being run by the CDF, and an increase in personnel is crucial as it provides for increased efficiency in the execution of these projects and allows for different perspectives which would hopefully lead to quicker and better methods of control.

· A set price of $x per head will be offered to any farmer or bounty hunter for cattle, pigs, or goats. Monies will also be set aside to provide for the transportation of these animals back to the mainland where they can be sold at no profit to ORGALA to farmers or corporate entities.

· A team of trained hunters will be hired to aid current efforts to eradicate the population of feral goats in northern Isabela. A requirement for being part of the team is completion of a course in hunter ethics. ORGALA will provide the equipment necessary, including rifles, telescopic sights, GPS transmitters, and any other equipment deemed necessary for the control of the operation and later disposal of goat cadavers so that it might eradicate the goats as quickly and humanely as possible.

· Funds will be allocated for ‘clean stations’ on any island that requires one. The idea of a clean station is that it allows visitors to the islands the chance to wash their shoes before and after visiting the islands so as to kill any microscopic invaders on them. Money will be provided for the construction, maintenance, and supply of the clean stations, including the hiring of a micro fauna expert to determine what specific chemicals are needed in specific islands.

Given that current efforts to destroy the little fire ant (wasmannia auropunctata) have been very successful, but somewhat limited in scope, funds will be provided to hire new personnel and buy the chemical agents necessary for the eradication of this extremely destructive species.

References:

World Heritage Nomination (WHN) - IUCN Technical Evaluation. (1999). Galapagos Marine Reserve (Ecuador) Extension to Galapagos National Park. Retrieved from the Internet http://whc.unesco.org/archive/advisory_body_evaluation/001bis.pdf

World Heritage Committee (WHC). (1999). Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Retrieved 10/25/2004 from the Internet http://whc.unesco.org/archive/repcomx99.htm#sc1.

BOE Network. (2001). Galapagos – General Advice: Authorities. Retrieved 09/20/2004 from the Internet http://www.thebestofecuador.com/gauthority.htm#authorities.

The National Congress. (1998). Special Regime Law for the Preservation and Sustainable development of the Province of Galapagos. Retrieved 10/10/2004 from the Internet http://whc.unesco.org/archive/ecu-gal.pdf

Keith Dobkowski, Yesenia Gallegos, Jason Hoffman, and Angela Mapa (USF). (2001). Fact Sheets on Management of Nine Coastal and Marine Protected Areas. Retrieved 10/10/2004 from the Internet http://www.komodonationalpark.org/downloads/MPAsheets.pdf

Ecuadorian Department of the State. (2003). Constitution of the Republic of Ecuador. Retrieved from the Internet http://www.mmrree.gov.ec/mre/documentos/ministerio/legislacion/legislacion.htm

“Our mission”. The New Era of Galapagos Conservation. (2004)

http://www.ecuadorexplorer.com/html/ngo_list.html

“Ecuador's Galapagos Park Rangers End Strike.”  Ecuador. September 29, 2004.

http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/27399/story.htm