Galapagos "Hermandad," an example of marine governance

Delegates from civil society, scientists, national and regional authorities from 150 countries are participating in the second United Nations Ocean Conference that ends this 01 July 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal.

"Quality matters: Enhancing Governance, Effective Management and Resilience of Marine Protected Areas for Multiple Co-benefits" is the name of the parallel event of this world meeting, in which Eliécer Cruz, director of the Galapagos Program of the Fundación Jocotoco, and spokesperson for Más Galapagos, explained the creation process and the importance of the Hermandad Marine Reserve.

Hermandad is the new Marine Protected Area of Ecuador, considered a milestone in protecting the Eastern Tropical Pacific Sea. It is the first step in consolidating the regional protection of the sea between Ecuador, Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia by creating a corridor for migratory marine species, such as sharks and sea turtles, between the Galapagos and Cocos Islands. That guarantees species' survival and safe travel between the islands.

However, the most outstanding example of Hermandad is its participatory creation process, which has collected the contributions and criticisms of all the stakeholders involved in managing and using the sea. Thus, Hermandad constitutes an example of governance defined by the participation of all the sectors involved in decision-making.

"The main objective of the United Nations Ocean Conference was to mobilize states, international financial organizations, public and private companies, and civil society to create concrete actions to protect the oceans. "Hermandad" is the sign of the Government of Ecuador's commitment to conservation by considering the joint work between NGOs, scientists, local and national authorities, the industrial fishing sector, artisanal fishermen, and citizens who reached a consensus to care for one of the richest marine areas of the Pacific Ocean," highlighted Eliécer Cruz.

Innovative actions based on data and scientific information were presented at the conference to enhance the sustainable management of the oceans, such as the fight against water acidification, pollution, illegal fishing, and the loss of habitats and biodiversity. Fundación Jocotoco is proud to contribute to improving the health of the ocean.

For more information and interviews, contact: +593-95-991-4488