Monday, 12 August 2013 

Sea Shepherd's Galapagos team
photo: Sea Shepherd/Tim WattersSome 960 kilometers off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos Archipelago is famed throughout the world for its unique plant and animal species.

Sea Shepherd has always considered the Galapagos one of the world’s last untouched wildernesses. But even in this remote part of the world, human encroachment is taking a heavy toll on this fragile eco-system. Sea Shepherd considers Galapagos an ongoing campaign and possibly one of the most important in our history as well as for the survival of the human race. After all, if we can’t protect something as unique as the Galapagos Islands, we are doomed as a species.

In this short film, produced in 2011, we present to you the work that we have been carrying out in order to assist in the protection of the Galapagos Marine Reserve and the life within it.

"Sea Shepherd Galapagos is using an array of tactics to combat illegal fishing and poaching inside the Galapagos National Park. Since 1999 when the National Park Service first invited us to help protect the Galapagos Marine Reserve, our presence has had a major impact. We have assisted in the apprehension of poachers; provided essential equipment to the local authorities to help them improve the results of their work; assisted in the prosecution of poachers and smugglers; started the first ever trained dog unit to detect illegal wildlife smugglers in Latin America and much more.

Our work is a constant battle to adapt to the ever-changing poaching and smuggling operations inside the Galapagos Marine Reserve, always trying to stay one step ahead of the criminal elements that are trying to destroy this beautiful place. Galapagos is a true paradise, one of the last remaining on the planet and we continue to do everything we can to protect the endemic species. This short video is a summary of the work we have done over the last five years and continue to do today,” said Captain Alex Cornelisson. Director Sea Shepherd Global. Director of Operations Sea Shepherd Galapagos.

Sea Shepherd and the Galapagos

Results of illegal shark fining  photo: Sea Shepherd/Tim Watters