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#SOSGalápagos #Galápagos #Ecuador #China #Diplomacy
Huge Chinese Fishing Fleet Discovered off Galapagos Islands,
Ecuador Official: “A big threat and will request them to withdraw through diplomatic efforts”

The Ecuadorian Navy discovered a huge fleet of mostly Chinese-flagged fishing vessels around 320 kilometres from the Galapagos Islands. The fleet was made up of around 260 vessels. Former environmental minister of Yolanda Kakabadse, stated their presence has already raised the prospect of serious damage to the dedicate marine ecosystem.

The island's unique ecosystem and animal species intrigued Charles Darwin. Darwin's visit to the Galapagos Islands had a resounding impact on the formation of his Theory of Natural Selection. Due to the unique creatures of Galapagos Islands, the Ecuador government established the Galapagos National Park in 1959. In 1978, the islands were declared as the first Unesco World Heritage Site.

Kakabadse told The Guardian that about 260 ships were currently in international water just outside a 188-miles wide exclusive economic zone around the island. Also, the fleet's size and aggressiveness against marine species was a big threat to the balance of species in the Galapagos.

Kakabadse and ex-mayor of Quito, Roque Sevilla, were on Monday (July 27th) put in charge fo designing a "protection strategy" for the Galapagos Islands.

Source: Stand News #July28