Despite the fact that in 1986 the Ecuadorian government declared the waters surrounding the Galapagos Islands as a "Marine Reserve," illegal fishing activity continues to this day. Overfishing, longlining, and poaching of sea cucumbers are problems that the Park Rangers and Sea Shepherd crewmembers deal with on an ongoing basis.

Sea Cucumbers

Sea cucumbers (pictured to the right, laid-out to dry) are cylinder-shaped invertebrate animals that live in seas worldwide - most Galapagos sea cucumbers belong to the genus Holothuria. They are found in a variety of sea floor habitats, either buried in the sand or attached to rocks or sand. These worm-like animals have a life span of about 5 to 10 years when left undisturbed, however, more than 4 million are taken legally each year (usually in a 60-day sea cucumber ishery season) and more are taken illegally.

Longlining

Currently, Sea Shepherd is tackling the problem of illegal longlining in both pelagic waters and in territorial waters of some nation states.

Our legal authority to intervene within territorial waters of a nation state is by way of agreement with the respective state. Presently, the Sea Shepherd has a contractual agreement to intervene against illegal fishing activities in the marine reserve waters of the Galapagos National Park.

Ghost Lines

Ghost longlines are also a big problem in the Galapagos Island waters. "Ghost lines" are lines that were somehow set adrift from the vessel which laid them. They become tangled messes and capture many types of marine life who innocently try to swim by or through them.

Source: Sea Shepherd Conservation Society