Jocotoco Foundation joins Greenpeace's Galapagos Arctic Sunrise Expedition

The Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise has arrived in the Galapagos Islands to embark on a 6-week marine expedition. The main objective of this mission is to document the positive effects of marine protection and to support the ratification of the UN Ocean Treaty.

The expedition, undertaken in collaboration with scientists and park rangers from the Galapagos National Park, the Jocotoco Conservation Foundation, Greepeace, the Charles Darwin Foundation, the Galapagos Science Center of the San Francisco de Quito University and MigraMar, seeks to highlight the beneficial impact of marine protection, specifically highlighting the success of the Galapagos Marine Reserve. In addition, the initiative aims to show the world the marine life and ecosystems of the Galapagos Marine Reserve.

"Among the activities planned are the use of innovative technologies such as BRUVs (Remote Underwater Video) to analyze the distribution of migratory species such as sharks, and ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) to study seamounts inside and outside the Galapagos Marine Reserve. Environmental DNA sampling (E-DNA) will also be carried out to evaluate the diversity and presence of species in the marine ecosystem and cetacean monitoring." Paola Sangolquí, marine conservation coordinator of the Jocotoco Foundation, mentioned.

Ruth Ramos, of Greenpeace's Protect the Oceans campaign, emphasized from the Arctic Sunrise the importance of the Galapagos Marine Reserve as an exemplary model of ocean protection. However, he noted that it remains an exception in a world where only 3% of the ocean is fully or highly protected. He highlighted Ecuador's expansion of protection in 2022, including the creation of the Hermandad Marine Reserve, connected to Costa Rica's Bicentennial Reserve.

Eliécer Cruz, representative of the Jocotoco Foundation, emphasized the importance of the UN Global Ocean Treaty, signed last year, as a unique opportunity to protect crucial marine areas, such as the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor.

The expedition will also address the urgent need to ratify the UN Ocean Treaty as a tool to improve the management of extractive activities in international waters, highlighted by recent reports revealing the threat to migratory species and the presence of industrial fishing vessels hidden around the Galapagos Marine Reserve.

"Marine ecosystems are interconnected, and the health of these areas outside the reserve affects what happens inside," Ramos said. "Healthy, protected oceans not only benefit biodiversity, but also local communities and contribute to the fight against global warming."

With this expedition, the Jocotoco Foundation reaffirms its joint commitment to safeguarding the oceans. They underline the urgent need for global action to preserve marine wealth, thus ensuring a sustainable legacy for future generations.

For more information, please contact:
Isabel Grijalva
Jocotoco Foundation
isabel.grijalva@jocotoco.org.ec