Galapagos National Park update

[DiveTheGalapagos]

Up until now, land-based diving in the Galapagos has never been regulated. That is changing this year. PNG (Parque Nacional Galapagos) had lots of Puerto Ayora meetings last week. Bottom line for land-based dive shops...unless you have been awarded a new cupo (permit), you are not permitted to operate past October 15, 2009.

PNG has a total of 24 Class 1 land-based dive permits to award and 16 Class 2 permits. It seems the difference is based primarily in the size of the boat with Class 1 being larger and therefore permitted to depart one port and arrive at another. Class 2 boats are smaller and therefore only permitted to return to the same port from which they departed. These permits are the total permits available for all 4 populated islands, not per island. With PNG, of course, this is all subject to change, but is where it stands right now.

They will also be awarding 14 permits for live-aboards. Currently, only 6 boats have that permit and I believe most of those are through Jan. 2010. Though it was to have been put in place before, it is possible that with new 2010 permits for live-aboards, no land visits will be permitted. Seems tur navegable permits are for diving or land visits and never the twain shall meet...in theory. Strong rumors about limiting Wolf/Darwin time to 2 days, but that's rumor at this point.

Some cupos will be conditionally awarded meaning owners will have 3 years to comply with certain mandatory qualifications such as an environmental impact study, an investment some could not/did not want to make merely for the possibility. Of those who have been awarded new cupos (not all available have been awarded yet), the contract with the National Park will be good for 15 years, however, boats must undergo many improvements. Seems the rules for day tour boats are as imposing as cruise boats...holding tanks for black water, eco engines, etc. All good for the Marine Reserve, but quite imposing for some small boat owners. As one said to me, "I'm going to put all this paperwork in my boat to see if it will sink."

 

[champ]

Any updates???

I have a trip planned for Feb 2010 on the Aggressor ... I want to know if we will be able to do land visits from the boat before planning the rest of our trip (If we can't do it from the boat I would want to spend a few more days on the islands).

Also does anyone have any recomendations on jungle lodges in the Amazon? We want to spend a few days out in the bush.

Thanks,

Champ

 

[DiveTheGalapagos]

Check with the Agressor. Most permits run through the end of January 2010 and how quickly PNG will enforce the new policy is anyone's guess.

Always good to spend some extra time doing land visits since you have traveled so far to such a unique place on the planet. As great as diving is, the topside's not too shabby either.

For the Amazon, check Sani Lodge, Selva Lodge, Kapawi Lodge and Napo Wildlife Center OR cruise on the Amazon Manatee Explorer.

 

[DiveTheGalapagos]

Neglected to update...Those who didn't get new permits banded together and filed a lawsuit challenging the validity of the new PNG permits based on restrictions around the application period...court found in favor of them and ruled that all new PNG permits issued are null and void. But it's not quite back to the starting point...those who have 'new cupos' will still have new cupos and it seems as though another round of applications will be submitted for additional cupos. There were far more cupos available than were awarded. It does push forward the period of time operations can continue no matter what their legal status.

 

[DiveTheGalapagos]

Not enough details yet, but word is the court ruled in favor of the Park and that all cupos previously awarded are now valid. It's always tricky in Galapagos.