Last week Sunday, in a joint patrolling effort between the Ecuadorian Navy and the Galapagos National Park (GNP), the longliner “Gaviota†from Manta, Ecuador was captured. The vessel was fishing in the west of the archipelago.
The GNP boat “Guadalupe River†towed the vessel up to the Seymour Island (Baltra) where it was kept under the surveillance and custody of members from the Navy. Nevertheless, the vessel was released by Monday evening without giving an explanation to the GNP, nor justifying its presence in the protected waters of the archipelago. The “Gaviota†has already been captured in four previous occasions in the islands. It had stocks of white fish and fishing gear, which is not allowed in the Marine Reserve, like a “long line†or 20-mile pole and line (palangre), 880 hooks, 9 radio buoys and floaters.
According to the GNP, at the moment of the arrest the captain of the “Gaviotaâ€, Gabriel Molina, said that his GPS was shut off and that he did not know that the Marine Reserve of Galapagos was so large.
During this same patrol operation, another three vessels from Costa Rica were also arrested: “Shamroc, Goliat and Triumph, which were within the territorial waters, however without authorization. Authorities are also aware that there are another five boats surrounding the Reserve. The authorities presume that these ships, just like the “Gaviota†are trying to take out the sea cucumbers and shark fins that were fished illegally. According to NPG estimates, there are about four million pieces fished illegally and that are exported.
The vessel “Milagros A†was also spotted near Isabela Island. This tuna purse seiner, with license P-00-0793, is property of an Ecuadorian tuna canning company, and also carries a helicopter on board for its fishing activities. When the authorities were trying to stop the vessel, the “Milagros A†escaped. Nevertheless, a camera filmed the occurrence of this boat in the Marine Reserve.