Court Says Galapagos Sea Cucumber Limits Remain
Date: 27-Jul-04
Country: EQUADOR
Author: Amy Taxin
The conflict began in early June when fishermen sought to overturn limits for this year's catch of sea cucumber, a starfish-like creature that is an Asian delicacy. The limits were set by environmental authorities to conserve the species.
The fishermen won an injunction from a local judge to put an end to the limits, which they said were unfair and impeded their ability to make a living in the Pacific Ocean archipelago known for its exotic wildlife.
But Ecuador's Environment ministry appealed this injunction and won at the nation's Constitutional Tribunal.
Since Galapagos is protected as a marine reserve, authorities were correct to consider "aspects related to protecting biodiversity and the environment" when setting limits for fishing, the Tribunal said in a July 22 ruling, a copy of which was obtained yesterday.
The ruling bolstered a participatory decision-making forum designed to give island residents a say in policy.
Fishermen had tried to circumvent this forum by taking their claim to court. Now they must resume talks within this forum in order to help draft policy.
"I think that we have all won with this decision, including the fishermen, since the legal framework in place for us to manage the Galapagos marine reserve has been recognized," Edwin Naula, director of Galapagos National Park, told Reuters.
Naula said environmental authorities and fishermen would meet to discuss setting new dates for sea cucumber fishing since the original two-month season concludes this week.
"We will respect what is decided," said Dionisio Zapata, a leader of the fishermen's union.
Authorities had capped this year's catch at 4 million for June and July and banned sea cucumber fishing for 2005 and 2006 in an effort to protect the species in the islands.
Tensions are running high in Galapagos between the islands' 18,000 residents, who are seeking to make a living off fishing and tourism, and environmentalists who are striving to protect the world-famous archipelago from overdevelopment.
The islands, located 625 miles west of Ecuador's coastline, are home to unique wildlife that inspired British naturalist Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection.
