The president assured that this measure opens the door to negotiate the largest debt-for-conservation swap. The resources will go in favor of the islands.
During his participation in the summit on climate change, the President of the Republic, Guillermo Lasso, announced the declaration of a new marine reserve in Galapagos.
“It is no less than 60,000 square kilometers that add to the existing marine reserve,” he said.
Of that extension, 30,000 kilometers will be a non-fishery production zone, located on the Los Cocos mountain range. Another 30,000 kilometers will be preserved so that there are no longline or trawling activities. The latter will be located northwest of the current marine reserve.
“The new marine reserve will also serve as a living laboratory for the development of scientific research that contributes so much to the progress of the world,” Lasso said.
According to the first president, this demonstrates the determined commitment to move towards an ecological transition that allows sustainable economic and productive development
»This decision by Ecuador will cause financial proposals to be made to swap debt for conservation. We estimate that it will be the largest amount of debt swap for conservation that has been carried out so far in the world, “he said.
Each proposal will be carefully evaluated in order to maximize conservation benefits. However, the Ecuadorian government has not established an estimate of the amount that can be exchanged.
Lasso stressed that all the resources will go to strengthen the Galapagos National Park and improve the basic infrastructure in the three main islands of the archipelago.
«Galapagos is considered by many as the jewel in the crown of Ecuador. For us, it is a national treasure that must be protected due to its invaluable natural wealth for the planet, “said the president.
The national park currently covers an area of 8,0000 square kilometers and is considered by experts as the archipelago of volcanic origin in the best state of conservation.
GOOD NEWS | Today, within the framework of the # COP26 from Glasgow, the President @LassoGuillermo and the Minister @GustavoManriq_M announced the creation of a new Marine Reserve in #Galapagos, reaffirming the commitment of #Ecuador with conservation. #TogetherWeAchieve pic.twitter.com/ftlAojBR3z
– Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition (@Ambiente_Ec) November 1, 2021
97% of that territory is natural heritage of humanity and, at the same time, there is more than 130,000 square kilometers of marine reserve.
Lasso assured that the measure announced by the Ecuadorian Government is the result of five months of dialogues with artisanal fishing vessels and the industrial fishing fleet.
FACT.- Ecuador is 256,000 square kilometers in size, but it is among the 17 most megadiverse countries in the world. There are 9.2 species per square kilometer
