Hermandad has a new educational charter for the management of its marine areas

The charter is a graphic adaptation of Nautical Chart I.O.A.20, presented on April 12, 2023, providing detailed information about the protected marine areas and special management zones in the archipelago. This material is designed to facilitate the understanding of safe maritime spaces for its users, especially for the fishing sector operating around the Hermandad Marine Reserve (HMR) from the mainland coast.

During his speech, Eliécer Cruz, Director of the Galápagos Program at Jocotoco, congratulated industrial fishers for responsibly engaging in fishing activities within the Hermandad Marine Reserve.
"The Hermandad Marine Reserve marks a before and after in marine conservation, both in Ecuador and globally. This achievement, supported by participatory processes and the commitment of the environmental authority, the fishing sector, and local communities, demonstrates that Ecuador can achieve great things when there is a will. The new nautical maps from INOCAR strengthen our ability to understand, protect, and use our ocean sustainably," Cruz stated.

The development of this new version was led by the Navy's Oceanographic and Antarctic Institute (INOCAR) through a collaborative effort between the Jocotoco Foundation, WildAid, the Ecuadorian Navy, and the invaluable support of Re:wild and Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy.

Navy Captain EMT Andrés Pazmiño Manrique, Director of the Oceanographic and Antarctic Institute of the Navy (INOCAR), highlighted the importance of Ecuador's national maritime space, emphasizing that it is 5.2 times larger than its terrestrial space.
"For INOCAR, it is a pleasure to contribute to such an important meeting that helps to understand everything that the Ecuadorian State encompasses," said the head of this institution.

Re:wild and Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy are organizations that, through partnerships with local allies, work to strengthen conservation strategies and sustainable development, promoting efficient management to ensure the protection of marine biodiversity and resources.

Biologist Manuel Bravo elaborated on the process behind the creation of the educational charter:
"This process has been ongoing for several years, initially bringing together INOCAR, the Galápagos National Park Directorate, and WildAid to establish the baseline for island and mainland boundaries. This allowed us to precisely determine jurisdictional and special management maritime areas," Bravo explained.

During the event in Manta, the importance of this tool for navigators and fishers seeking to operate responsibly and sustainably within protected marine areas was emphasized. The event was attended by prominent authorities and representatives from key institutions, including Admiral Ronal Muñoz Cedeño, Governor of the Province of Manabí; Economist Leonardo Arteaga, Prefect of the Province of Manabí; Engineer Marciana Valdivieso Zamora, Mayor of Manta; Navy Captain EMT Andrés Pazmiño Manrique, Director of the Navy's Oceanographic Institute (INOCAR); Mr. Sergio Palomeque, Undersecretary of Fisheries Resources of the Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments, and Fisheries; Port Captain Jorge López Lara of Manta; Eliécer Cruz, Director of the Galápagos Program at the Jocotoco Foundation; and Manuel Bravo, Director of WildAid Ecuador. Also present were representatives from the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC), the Permanent Commission for the South Pacific (CPPS), and the National Chamber of Fisheries, reaffirming their joint commitment to the conservation and sustainable management of marine resources.

About the Hermandad Marine Reserve

The Hermandad Marine Reserve (HMR), established on March 14, 2022, is a marine area that connects the Galápagos Marine Reserve with the Cocos Island National Park in Costa Rica. This space ensures safe migratory routes for species such as hammerhead sharks and leatherback turtles and increased Ecuador's protected marine area by 5.5%. With a management zone of 60,000 km², including 30,000 km² completely free of extractive activities, the reserve protects critical marine ecosystems like seamounts and promotes sustainable fishing practices.

The HMR is financed through an innovative debt-for-nature swap, the largest in history. This swap will generate $18 million annually over 18.5 years. Approximately $12 million will be allocated annually through an open and transparent call for proposals, while $6 million will be used annually to capitalize an endowment fund. By the end of the 18.5 years, this fund will be worth an estimated $240 million, ensuring financing for conservation activities from year 19 onward, once the cash flow from the debt swap ends.

The reserve is also part of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Conservation Corridor, positioning Ecuador as a regional leader in marine ecosystem protection. This accomplishment is made possible through the joint efforts of all involved stakeholders and users, including the fishing sector, which has demonstrated strong commitment to adhering to permitted uses within the reserve.