{"id":2317,"date":"2024-03-27T14:48:09","date_gmt":"2024-03-27T14:48:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.galapagosislands.com\/blog\/?p=2317"},"modified":"2025-02-24T18:08:50","modified_gmt":"2025-02-24T18:08:50","slug":"galapagos-marine-reserve","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.galapagosislands.com\/blog\/galapagos-marine-reserve\/","title":{"rendered":"Galapagos Marine Reserve Creation"},"content":{"rendered":"

The reserve is vital in ensuring the protection of the marine habitat and therefore marine life that make the islands such a valued holiday destination.<\/p>\n

Everything about the Galapagos Islands is unique, and that is exactly why they need protecting. The volcanic formation, isolated position and varied currents create habitat unparalleled anywhere in the world.<\/p>\n

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Although humans have the temptation to take advantage of these incredible resources, the marine reserve limits human activity to reduce the environmental footprint on the Galapagos Islands.<\/p>\n

Described as a \u201cliving laboratory\u201d, the marine reserve is home and feeding ground to an estimated 3000 diverse species of fish, whales, sharks, tortoises, turtles, birds and seals to name but a few.<\/p>\n

\"hammerhead<\/p>\n

The incredibly tame nature of the wildlife, which allows visitors to approach, dive and play with the wildlife in their natural habitat is an advantage of the protection of this marine area.<\/p>\n

On the 14th<\/sup>\u00a0anniversary of the creation of the Marine Reserve as a protected area, Galapagos Travel Center want to thank the Reserve for their hard work.
\nThe experts at Galapagos Travel Center invite you to book your trip to the clear waters and treasured wildlife that make your holiday truly unforgettable!<\/p>\n

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Galapagos Marine Life<\/h2>\n

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Beneath the waters of the Galapagos Islands<\/a> is a fascinating world of underwater marvels. The convergence of ocean currents from distant corners of the world have brought an extremely unique variety of marine life to the Galapagos Islands. Such diversity and the pristine qualities of the waters surrounding the islands make the Galapagos an unforgettable destination.
\nFollow: GalapagosIslands.com<\/a><\/p>\n

The ocean waters surrounding the islands are protected as the second largest marine reserve<\/a> in the world. Snorkelers<\/a> and divers<\/a> in the islands never cease to be amazed by the wonders below the sea found no place other than the Galapagos Islands<\/a>. From the coral reefs to the mangrove lagoons, the Galapagos waters are teeming with marine creatures.<\/p>\n

Such diversity in the islands\u2019 waters is sustained by the nutrient rich content carried to the islands by the cold water ocean currents. These same cold currents from the south brought Antarctic species like the fur sea lions and penguins<\/a> to the tropical archipelago increasing the uniqueness of biodiversity displayed in the Galapagos<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Many varieties of marine species are well represented in the Galapagos. The assortment of colorful fish includes different types of sharks including whale sharks (which are the largest fish on the planet) and hammerheads, manta rays, angelfish, butterflyfish, surgeonfish, and seahorses.<\/p>\n

Also dwelling in the ocean depths are so many species of corals, sponges, sea stars, sea cucumbers, clams, octopuses, sea slugs, worms, and crustaceans. Visitors often see bright red-colored Sally Lightfoot crabs on the beaches. Galapagos green sea turtles are beautiful and serene marine reptiles commonly seen in the islands as well.<\/p>\n

When you visit the Galapagos Islands, you will be sure to discover an underwater world as colorful and unique as you could have ever imagined. Divers can take a designated diving cruise to the remote parts of the archipelago like Darwin and Wolf Islands where they can encounter the peaceful giant whale sharks in person!<\/p>\n

Plan your Galapagos holiday today<\/a>, and bring your underwater fantasies to life. Snorkel and swim in the company of multicolored tropical fish. Explore the rich coral reef ecosystems, and splash in the waves with penguins and sea lions. Our trip advisors<\/a> will help you book your dream vacation in the islands, and you can experience the one of a kind underwater marine life for yourself.<\/p>\n

\u200bGalapagos Marine Life endangered<\/h2>\n

Did you know about the huge size of the Galapagos Marine Reserve? Its total area is of 133,000 sq. km., which is almost the size of Louisiana. In the other hand, the islands that comprise the Galapagos National Park cover just a small area of 8,000 sq. km. of wonders and uniqueness. Therefore, most of the Galapagos preserved area is a comprised by a submarine word filled with amazing species, coral reefs and many more that you can only imagine, that\u2019s why the Galapagos is considered one of the best diving destinations in the whole wide World.<\/p>\n

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Because of the shallow sandy beaches, rocky shores, mangrove forests, lagoons, high vertical cliffs and coral reefs, the Galapagos is like a dream come true to every sea animal. Sea lions and fur seals can enjoy, play and sleep on the sandy beaches, crabs can run above the lava rocks while iguanas take advantage of the rock\u2019s heat, as well as coral reefs which are a great playground and haven for small tropical fishes.<\/p>\n

Due to these ideal conditions, the Galapagos waters are home to some of the most fantastic submarine species in the World, from seahorses, temporal visitors like the marine iguana<\/a>, the Galapagos penguin<\/a>, to huge whale sharks, humpback and orcas whales<\/a>. Playful sea lions<\/a> will surround you while you go snorkeling, orcas may get really close to the dinghy ride for a great picture, while dolphins swim by the side of the boat during your cruising.<\/p>\n

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However, many of those amazing animals are threatened. Sharks, lobsters and sea cucumbers for example, are being killed because of overfishing. Luckily, many organizations as well as local fishermen are trying to reduce the fishing of these species. However there is also illegal fishing which is much harder to control. It\u2019s unbelievable but some illegal fishermen hunt tortoises for their meet and sea lions for their teeth and genitals. As weird as it may seem sea lions genitals are considered as aphrodisiac in Asia. Also, the meat, fins and oil of whale sharks as well as the fins of all other kinds of sharks are quite popular on the international markets \u2013 e.g. For shark fin soup – which in many places is considered a delight.<\/p>\n

Why do so many sharks have to be killed or die by the consequences of having their fins cut off? How can someone just cut out teeth and genitals of poor cute sea lions? Right? This has to stop!! Fortunately, the sea around Galapagos can be controlled by modern techniques and therefore unauthorized boats can be detected. But this sadly doesn\u2019t mean that the illegal fishing can be completely prevented yet. Moreover, even the few legal fishing boats endanger many marine animals not just by overfishing, but also, penguins, sea lions and turtles often experience being bycatch. They get hurt, strangled by the net or drown in this procedure because they can\u2019t get to the surface to get the needed air.<\/p>\n

Another threat to the Galapagos marine life comes along with worldwide phenomenon\u2019s, like garbage in the oceans, which makes water more acid, and to make the problem even worst, the climate change which is affecting the whole World heats up the waters arousing the water inhabitants.<\/p>\n

10 Million tons of garbage flow into our oceans every year. About 75% of it is plastic, which is fatal to many submarine species. Each year, up to 100.000 marine animals and about one million seabirds die due to plastic. To visualize this, we have some examples for you:<\/p>\n