Ecuador expands protected ocean area around Galapagos | Page 2 | Sunday Observer

Ecuador expands protected ocean area around Galapagos

28 November, 2021

Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso said that a huge new section will be added to the protected area of ocean around the Galapagos islands. The move will make one of the world’s largest marine reserves almost 50 percent larger.

President Lasso was speaking at the United Nations climate conference known as COP26.

The Galapagos Islands are a special group of islands 600 miles (1,000 kilometers) off the coast of Ecuador. Because the islands are so far from land, they are home to many plants and animals that can’t be found anywhere else.

Galapagos

That’s true in the sea, too. Galapagos waters hold many kinds of sea life that can only be found there. The waters around Galapagos are home to roughly 2,900 different kinds of marine plants and animals. nials.

Since 1998, the ocean area around the Galapagos has been protected by the Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR). At 51,000 square miles (133,000 square kilometres), the GMR is one of the largest marine reserves in the world.

Under Ecuador’s new plan, another 23,000 square miles (66,000 square kilometres) will be added to the reserve, stretching up toward Costa Rica’s Cocos Islands.

Galapagos waters hold many kinds of sea life that can only be found there. Since 1998, the ocean area around the Galapagos has been protected by the Galapagos Marine Reserve.

The special ocean conditions around the Galapagos attract many larger sea animals which don’t stay in one place. They travel through the area as an important part of their migration patterns. This includes groups of special sharks, such as endangered hammerhead sharks and whale sharks.

New plan

Many people hope the new plan will help protect these migrating animals. The special ocean conditions around the Galapagos attract many larger sea animals which migrate through the area. This includes groups of special sharks, such as endangered hammerhead sharks and whale sharks

The new area of the reserve will be split into two equal sections. In one section no fishing will be allowed. Some fishing will be permitted in the other section. But 'long line' fishing will be banned. In long line fishing, long lines with hundreds or thousands of hooks catch fish but also other animals like dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, and sea birds.

Having a larger marine reserve will require more navy boats to patrol the waters and make sure the rules are being followed.

Source: News for kids.net

 

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