Action Alert: Crisis in the Galapagos Islands - Again!
I just receive this alert from the Shark Research Institute.
Please read the following action alert regarding the crisis in the Galapagos Islands. We also ask that you email this information to everyone in your email address book. Ask them to send protests to the persons listed below , and then forward it to all in their address books, etc.
Galapagos National Park Director Edwin Nuala Removed
The president of Ecuador, Lucio Gutiérrez, has removed Galapagos National Park Director Edwin Nuala, a professional biologist and dedicated defender of the park, and replaced him with Fausto Cepeda, who is pro-fishing, pro-development and anti- conservation. Cepeda is now the ninth GNP director since Gutiérrez took office in January 2003!
This move brings to an end the efforts of the National Park to protect the Galapagos National Park Marine Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from illegal fishing activities. In short, the marine life of the Galapagos will be devastated if this appointment stands.
The president of Ecuador is bowing to political pressure from fishermen, many of whom have recently moved to the Galapagos after the crash of the fishing industry on the mainland. The tourist industry actually brings far more money into the Galapagos economy than fishing.
The time has come for the tourist industry to flex its muscles; It needs to use its power by calling for a boycott of the Galapagos Islands until Ecuador protects these islands put an end to corruption, illegal exploitation and mob violence by fisherman.
National Park Rangers are now on strike in support of Nuala. All of us who care deeply about these profoundly unique islands support the rangers. The Galapagos National Park has seen crisis after crisis, each more violent and threatening than the last.
This present crisis is the most serious to date and marks the first time that the President of Ecuador has directly intervened to shut down conservation in the National Park.
The Shark Research Institute has two open expeditions scheduled to the Galapagos in 2005, and we plan to cancel them if Cepeda's appointment stands.
I just receive this alert from the Shark Research Institute.
Please read the following action alert regarding the crisis in the Galapagos Islands. We also ask that you email this information to everyone in your email address book. Ask them to send protests to the persons listed below , and then forward it to all in their address books, etc.
Galapagos National Park Director Edwin Nuala Removed
The president of Ecuador, Lucio Gutiérrez, has removed Galapagos National Park Director Edwin Nuala, a professional biologist and dedicated defender of the park, and replaced him with Fausto Cepeda, who is pro-fishing, pro-development and anti- conservation. Cepeda is now the ninth GNP director since Gutiérrez took office in January 2003!
This move brings to an end the efforts of the National Park to protect the Galapagos National Park Marine Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from illegal fishing activities. In short, the marine life of the Galapagos will be devastated if this appointment stands.
The president of Ecuador is bowing to political pressure from fishermen, many of whom have recently moved to the Galapagos after the crash of the fishing industry on the mainland. The tourist industry actually brings far more money into the Galapagos economy than fishing.
The time has come for the tourist industry to flex its muscles; It needs to use its power by calling for a boycott of the Galapagos Islands until Ecuador protects these islands put an end to corruption, illegal exploitation and mob violence by fisherman.
National Park Rangers are now on strike in support of Nuala. All of us who care deeply about these profoundly unique islands support the rangers. The Galapagos National Park has seen crisis after crisis, each more violent and threatening than the last.
This present crisis is the most serious to date and marks the first time that the President of Ecuador has directly intervened to shut down conservation in the National Park.
The Shark Research Institute has two open expeditions scheduled to the Galapagos in 2005, and we plan to cancel them if Cepeda's appointment stands.
