Ecuador’s Galapagos National Park representatives stated that several tons of residues and garbage have been removed from the shorelines of the Galapagos archipelago, since January this year and until now.
22 tons of residues and garbage have been removed from the Galapagos Archipelago
The removal of the residues and garbage from the shorelines of the Galapagos targeted the examination of “the possible arrival of invasive species in the waste swept in by the ocean currents,” the Galapagos National Park officials stated in a report that has been released yesterday, March 17th.
The Galapagos region is an archipelago formed by several volcanic islands, being positioned at approximately 600 miles off the shorelines of Ecuador.
The majority of the residues and garbage gets on Galapagos shorelines “from the coasts of Central and South America, and even from the Asian continent,” according to the report released by the Galapagos National Park.
22 tons of garbages have been removed.
Galapagos archipelago is protected by UNESCO and local authorities, as well
The Galapagos National Park authority has formed up in late 1959 and, ever since, has been responsible for protecting 97% Galapagos archipelago’s territory.
Cataloged as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, in 1978, the Galapagos archipelago represents the home for many endemic species such as the Galapagos penguins and the giant turtles.
Besides, a 53,280-square-miles marine reservation has also been delimited and a 14,600-square-miles marine shelter has been created where fishing is forbidden because that’s the home to the biggest shoal of sharks in the world.
Galapagos residents use clean energy
The Galapagos archipelago is inhabited by only 26,000 people but the majority of the residues and the garbage come from outside since Ecuador established strict policies regarding the Galapagos visitors number and the waste disposal.
On the Galapagos islands, the officials are strictly controlling the building of resorts or other constructions and support the usage of clean and reusable energy. Also, plastic recipients and pouches have been forbidden in order to preserve the unique habitat that the Galapagos archipelago represents.
