Strengthening Capacities for Maritime Control and Surveillance Operations in the Galapagos Marine Reserve

In a joint effort between the Galapagos National Park Directorate, WildAid, and the Jocotoco Foundation, the workshop "Maritime Operations for Control and Surveillance of the Galapagos Marine Reserve" was carried out. The event, which took place from April 23rd to 26th, aimed to implement theoretical and practical activities of tactical maritime operations, with the main objective of strengthening the capacities of the competent authorities for the control and surveillance of the Reserve.

The workshop was structured around three main axes: Maritime Interdiction and Boarding, Crisis Management and Law Enforcement, with the active participation of 5 members of the National Navy, 23 park rangers from the Galapagos National Park Directorate, and 5 park rangers from protected coastal marine areas along the Ecuadorian coast, including the Manglares Cayapas Mataje Ecological Reserve, Galera San Francisco Marine Reserve, and the Mangroves Wildlife Refuge of the Muisne River Estuary.

During the workshop's opening, Arturo Izurieta, director of the Galapagos National Park, stated, "Today and during the four days of the workshop, we will consolidate the things that are close to our hearts: taking care of our environment, taking care of our seas, and taking care of our homeland."

Meanwhile, Eliécer Cruz, director of the Galapagos Program at the Jocotoco Foundation, highlighted the crucial role of WildAid and Jocotoco in control and surveillance work, emphasizing that "if we look at the regional level in the context of the marine corridor, we will see that what Galapagos has is truly pioneering."

Roddy Macías, Projects Manager for WildAid Ecuador's Coastal Projects, emphasized the importance of experiences accumulated since 2000 in Galapagos, stating that "the Galápagos experience is very important for protected coastal marine areas on the continent."

The workshop received support from the Bezos Earth Fund and the Blue Action Fund (BAF) for its implementation, reaffirming the joint commitment to the protection of the Galapagos Marine Reserve.