RESEARCH REPORTRESEARCH REPORT

Mauricio CastrejónMauricio Castrejón

Charles Darwin Research Station, Galapagos , EcuadorCharles Darwin Research Station, Galapagos , Ecuador

WP2 Shifting BaselinesWP2 Shifting Baselines

“Fisheries Resources of the Galapagos Marine Reserve”

Galapagos Marine Reserve Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR)(GMR)

Archipelago composed by 15 islands Archipelago composed by 15 islands

andand approximately 106 islets

High level of endemic organisms and a wide range of marine and terrestrial habitat

A UNESCO world heritage site A UNESCO world heritage site

established in 2001 covering 138,000 established in 2001 covering 138,000

kmkm2 2

Multi-use marine reserve Multi-use marine reserve

There is a human population of ca There is a human population of ca

30,000 individuals30,000 individuals

Inhabited islands : Santa Cruz, San Inhabited islands : Santa Cruz, San

Cristobal, Isabela, Floreana and BaltraCristobal, Isabela, Floreana and Baltra

Affected by natural (“El Niño”) and Affected by natural (“El Niño”) and

anthropogenic impacts (fishing, anthropogenic impacts (fishing,

tourism, etc.)tourism, etc.) 4040

nmnm

A unique situation….

The confluence of currents let cold The confluence of currents let cold water species like penguins co-water species like penguins co-exist with tropical species such as exist with tropical species such as reef coralreef coral

The challenge is how can we differentiate The challenge is how can we differentiate between the effects of climatic variability (“El between the effects of climatic variability (“El Niño”) and human activities (fishing, tourism, Niño”) and human activities (fishing, tourism, etc.) over populations communities and etc.) over populations communities and ecosystemsecosystems

Coastal Zoning of the Coastal Zoning of the GMRGMR

In 2002, a coastal zonation In 2002, a coastal zonation scheme (CZ) was established to scheme (CZ) was established to regulate the human use of the regulate the human use of the GMR, to avoid conflicts between GMR, to avoid conflicts between stakeholders, and to protect the stakeholders, and to protect the high biodiversity siteshigh biodiversity sites

Currently, 18% of the total area Currently, 18% of the total area of the GMR is No-take zone of the GMR is No-take zone

An ecological monitoring system An ecological monitoring system was established to evaluate the was established to evaluate the efficiency of the CZefficiency of the CZ

The CZ has not been properly The CZ has not been properly implemented by authorities implemented by authorities (GNPS) and is not respected by (GNPS) and is not respected by fishermenfishermen

History of Galapagos FisheriesHistory of Galapagos Fisheries

The fishing activity started with the hunting of whales and sea The fishing activity started with the hunting of whales and sea lions in the nineteenth centurylions in the nineteenth century

The industrial fishery was developed in the 1940s with longline The industrial fishery was developed in the 1940s with longline and purse-seine fleets from Japan, EEUU, Panama and Costa and purse-seine fleets from Japan, EEUU, Panama and Costa Rica whose main target species were tunasRica whose main target species were tunas

In 1970, an Ecuadorian industrial fleet begin to operate In 1970, an Ecuadorian industrial fleet begin to operate exclusively in Galapagosexclusively in Galapagos

TThe industrial fishery was totally excluded from the GMR when he industrial fishery was totally excluded from the GMR when the Special Law of Galapagos (SLG) was approved by the the Special Law of Galapagos (SLG) was approved by the Ecuadorian government in 1998Ecuadorian government in 1998

The SLG extended the area of the Marine Reserve from 15 to 40 The SLG extended the area of the Marine Reserve from 15 to 40 miles and since then only the artisanal fleet has exclusive rights miles and since then only the artisanal fleet has exclusive rights to operate in the GMRto operate in the GMR

Galapagos Artisanal FisheryGalapagos Artisanal Fishery In 1964, the number of artisanal In 1964, the number of artisanal

fishermen was of ca. 200 individualsfishermen was of ca. 200 individuals

Currently, there are over 1000 Currently, there are over 1000 registered fishers organized in 4 registered fishers organized in 4 fishery cooperativesfishery cooperatives

526 fishers (≈53526 fishers (≈53%%) live on San ) live on San Cristobal. The remainder are Cristobal. The remainder are divided between Isabela and Santa divided between Isabela and Santa CruzCruz

The fleet is composed of 148 The fleet is composed of 148 fiberglass and 231 wooden small fiberglass and 231 wooden small boats (3-10 m) and 67 big boats (8-boats (3-10 m) and 67 big boats (8-17.5 m)17.5 m)

The most common fishing method is The most common fishing method is hooka diving (the diver breathes hooka diving (the diver breathes from a hose connected to an from a hose connected to an onboard compressor)onboard compressor)

Nowadays, the most important Nowadays, the most important target species are sea cucumber target species are sea cucumber and spiny lobster (both of which are and spiny lobster (both of which are showing signs of severe depletion)showing signs of severe depletion)

The Sea Cucumber Fishery The Sea Cucumber Fishery ((Isotichopus fuscusIsotichopus fuscus))

Main fishery of the GMR over Main fishery of the GMR over last decadelast decade

High price and demand in High price and demand in Asian marketsAsian markets

The fishery started illegally in The fishery started illegally in 19911991

The first legal fishing season The first legal fishing season (1994) was followed by 5 years (1994) was followed by 5 years closure and restarted in 1999closure and restarted in 1999

Spatial-temporal closures, TAC, Spatial-temporal closures, TAC, minimum legal size, limit minimum legal size, limit reference pointsreference points

Probably a total closure to be Probably a total closure to be established for 2006 (stock established for 2006 (stock collapsed)collapsed)

The Fishery of Spiny LobstersThe Fishery of Spiny Lobsters Second most important fisherySecond most important fishery

Two species are exploited: red Two species are exploited: red ((Panulirus penicillatusPanulirus penicillatus) and ) and green (green (P. gracillisP. gracillis) spiny ) spiny lobster lobster

The fishery started The fishery started commercially in the 60´scommercially in the 60´s

In the 80´s there was an In the 80´s there was an increase in fishing power increase in fishing power when “hooka” began to be when “hooka” began to be introducedintroduced

Spatial-temporal closures, Spatial-temporal closures, minimum legal size, limit minimum legal size, limit reference points, catch of reference points, catch of ovigerous females bannedovigerous females banned

Lobster stock is over-exploitedLobster stock is over-exploited

Pelagic Fishery (Pesca Blanca)Pelagic Fishery (Pesca Blanca)

One of the first and the most traditional One of the first and the most traditional fisheries in the GMRfisheries in the GMR

Catch is composed approximately by 70 Catch is composed approximately by 70 finfish speciesfinfish species

Main target species: Main target species: Mycteroperca Mycteroperca olfaxolfax, , Mugil galapaguensisMugil galapaguensis, , Xenomugil Xenomugil ThoburniThoburni, , Thunnus albacaresThunnus albacares, T. , T. obesus, obesus, Epinephelus mystacinusEpinephelus mystacinus and and Acanthocybium solandriAcanthocybium solandri

The main fishing methods are hook and The main fishing methods are hook and line and gillnetsline and gillnets

Lack of management measurementsLack of management measurements

Very few studies about the dynamics of Very few studies about the dynamics of the resource and fisherythe resource and fishery

The status of the stocks is unknown The status of the stocks is unknown

Participatory Programme of Participatory Programme of Fisheries Monitoring and Research Fisheries Monitoring and Research

(PIMPP)(PIMPP) In 1997 the systematic collection of fishery and biological data In 1997 the systematic collection of fishery and biological data

for all exploited species of the GMR began for all exploited species of the GMR began

The monitoring is led by the Galapagos National Park Service The monitoring is led by the Galapagos National Park Service (GNPS) and the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS)(GNPS) and the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS)

In 2004 the monitoring of finfish and other minor resources In 2004 the monitoring of finfish and other minor resources (octopus, chitons, gastropods) ended due to lack of funding(octopus, chitons, gastropods) ended due to lack of funding

Since 2005 the monitoring has been focused only toward the Since 2005 the monitoring has been focused only toward the sea cucumber and spiny lobsters fisherysea cucumber and spiny lobsters fishery

In February 2006, the finfish monitoring has been restartedIn February 2006, the finfish monitoring has been restarted

Annual assessment of levels of catch, fishing effort, CPUE, Annual assessment of levels of catch, fishing effort, CPUE, percentage of illegal individual in catch, mean sizepercentage of illegal individual in catch, mean size

Fishery-biological data are collected by members GNPS, by local Fishery-biological data are collected by members GNPS, by local students, and by local or international volunteers of the CDRSstudents, and by local or international volunteers of the CDRS

Data are taken at the three main ports of Galapagos: Puerto Ayora Data are taken at the three main ports of Galapagos: Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz), Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristobal) and Villamil (Santa Cruz), Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristobal) and Villamil (Isabela)(Isabela)

Additionally, a fishery observers system has been implemented Additionally, a fishery observers system has been implemented since 1997since 1997

Most data of catch, effort, size, weight and sex (only lobster) Most data of catch, effort, size, weight and sex (only lobster) collected are spatially explicit collected are spatially explicit

Data are stored, under a My-SQL format, in three databases (one Data are stored, under a My-SQL format, in three databases (one for each main port) located at the CDRS´ installations for each main port) located at the CDRS´ installations

Databases are composed by 34 tables and jointly contain more Databases are composed by 34 tables and jointly contain more than 50,000 records of catch-effort and 100,000 of biological datathan 50,000 records of catch-effort and 100,000 of biological data

The GNPS administers another database with catch and effort The GNPS administers another database with catch and effort datadata

Fishery Fishery MonitoringMonitoring

Independent SurveysIndependent Surveys

Population monitoring is carried out Population monitoring is carried out before and after each sea cucumber and before and after each sea cucumber and lobster fishing seasons since 1999lobster fishing seasons since 1999

The stakeholders provide economic or The stakeholders provide economic or human resources to carry out the human resources to carry out the monitoringmonitoring

Assessment of densities and Assessment of densities and populations structures around the populations structures around the archipelagoarchipelago

Permanent sampling sites have been Permanent sampling sites have been established in 6 islands for sea established in 6 islands for sea cucumber and in 3 for spiny lobster cucumber and in 3 for spiny lobster

Tagging studies (spiny and slipper Tagging studies (spiny and slipper lobsters)lobsters)

Oceanographic and ecological (subtidal) Oceanographic and ecological (subtidal) community monitoring at over 300 sites community monitoring at over 300 sites with seasonal repetitionwith seasonal repetition

Research so far…..Research so far…..

Catch, effort and biological data belonging to the two last Catch, effort and biological data belonging to the two last lobster and sea cucumber fishing seasons have been collected, lobster and sea cucumber fishing seasons have been collected, systemized and “cleaned”systemized and “cleaned”

The 2005 pre and post harvest population monitoring of sea The 2005 pre and post harvest population monitoring of sea cucumber and lobster have been carried outcucumber and lobster have been carried out

A new monitoring system with close participation of fishers in A new monitoring system with close participation of fishers in data collection was recently implemented for the last lobster data collection was recently implemented for the last lobster fishing seasonsfishing seasons

Catch, effort and biological data of lobster collected in the 70´s Catch, effort and biological data of lobster collected in the 70´s were recovered and systemized (thesis of Dr. Gunter Reck)were recovered and systemized (thesis of Dr. Gunter Reck)

A new project, funded by the Tinker Foundation, will start in A new project, funded by the Tinker Foundation, will start in March and part of it will be focused on collating the traditional March and part of it will be focused on collating the traditional ecological knowledge of the main fisheries resourcesecological knowledge of the main fisheries resources

Next stepsNext steps

Carry on the “cleaning” stage of catch, effort and biological data of Carry on the “cleaning” stage of catch, effort and biological data of sea cucumber, lobster and pelagic fisheries from the time period sea cucumber, lobster and pelagic fisheries from the time period 1997-20021997-2002

Through fishers interviews, obtain information related to past catch Through fishers interviews, obtain information related to past catch and effort rates of the main fishery resourcesand effort rates of the main fishery resources

Investigate if other information sources such as theses, technical Investigate if other information sources such as theses, technical reports and independent fishery surveys data carried out by reports and independent fishery surveys data carried out by government institutions (such as the National Fishing Institute) government institutions (such as the National Fishing Institute) existsexists

Long term analysis of spatial-temporal variation in fishery effort Long term analysis of spatial-temporal variation in fishery effort allocation for the sea cucumber and lobster fishery (collaboration allocation for the sea cucumber and lobster fishery (collaboration with Dr. Omar Defeo from CINVESTAV, México)with Dr. Omar Defeo from CINVESTAV, México)

Compare spatial-temporal shifts in the catch composition of the Compare spatial-temporal shifts in the catch composition of the pelagic fishery in order to evaluate potential impacts of fishing over pelagic fishery in order to evaluate potential impacts of fishing over fish assemblagesfish assemblages