Stop talking about Galapagos unless you know the FACTS!

[Merijo]

I'm so tired of reading the hear say on the forum about Galapagos. If you all don't know what you are talking about and want to keep enticing the political lobbiest insted of the conservational fisherman, then keep spreading your "black and White" tongues over the net.

I have the official paperwork of Mayor Zappa of San Cristobal and the Vivencial Law that now stands. You can show me anything you want...if you have never been there and you look up on the net, you are probably wrong, as the laws and circumstances changes every month. One of which has not changed is the fact that San Cristobal has announced it's being as a Sportfishing Port. Remember, the seas at 40 miles out is no longer GNP waters.

Greased palms are in every 3rd world country, so making that statement is quite ignorant to the government system that runs those countries. For Christ sakes, money greases the US pockets on laws and no one says anything; why is that? Remember...................if you don't know keep quiet. Everything you read in black and white isn't true. Factual documents that are legalized, stamped and dated are the only ones you should believe. Show me those on the internet, I bet you can't!

Please for gosh sake's stop the talking if you really don't know. And if you go and you are not on a reliable boat that has permission, then that is your bad for not checking your sources, no one elses.

I personally have the copies of San Cristobal's stand and if you want to see them pleae feel free to email me with a fax number I will be more than happy to send them to you.

mj@sportsmansaddiction.com

[knot for shore]

Bro.......welcome to the site.

I just did a quick search on the threads here on SFC about Galapagos, and I didn't find much trash talking......

[Capt-D]

I'm Lost, Are you sure you have the right board?

-D

[jbones11]

I think this may be what he is talking about ???

sportfish galapagos ready for marlin season

[knot for shore]

just read the thread and it sounds like a group had an unusual experience and the conversation revolved around that..

i didn't read where they were "bashing" the place.

[Merijo]

I never said "bashing", just every site I go to has something about legalities of Galapagos and what everyone is pulling up is over the net is a year or so old. Midway, didn't even have this much controversy. I just happened to get off the phone with Pete Santini who mentioned the other thread on this forum so I figured since I have over 140 days inside of the Galapagos doing consulting and traveling work. I thought I would help the issues and concerns you all have.

[Dave Sikorski]

Now I just need to save up some jingle jangle and get my Polish ass down there.

Glad to know it's doable.

-D

[FINRAZOR RODS]

Your post didn't sound like "help"... might try a softer approach over here, seems to work better, even if we are stir crazy right now.

[kilsong]

After the fabulous fishing reports in Galapagos last year, I plan to visit there for fishing. But I was informed that the area is closed for sportfishing except local fishermen. I made some reseach and all indicated that sportfishing there is illegal. I am confused as some sportfishing operations say they can fish legally. If fishing is illegal, I don't want to visit there how goood fishing is.


I asked a guy who works in Galapagos National Park as a member of the Galapagos Marine Reserve Conservation Project team.
When I asked the legality of fishing in Galapagos, he replied as shown below.

Hi ksong, Yes a sportfishing is prohibited in Galapagos. Some sport and pleasure fishing activities in the islands are illegal. However, the National Park Service gave a permission to local fishing cooperatives to run a fishing trip for tourists as a cultural experience. It's not started yet as fishermen need to fill some more requirements. This trip is different from a sport fishing . It has a strict regulations and allowed only to local fishermen. I'm working for this program in the Park Service.

---------------

June 2006
Provided by Galapagos Conservancy

More News on the Galapagos Sport Fishing Controversy

On June 14, 2006, Dr. Jack Stein Grove, author of Fishes of the Galapagos and long-time Galapagos guide gave a presentation on Galapagos fishes for the Islamorada (FL) Fishing Club. In that presentation, Dr. Grove reiterated that sport fishing is currently illegal in Galapagos waters and expressed his concern that many sport fishermen are not acting responsibly and are disobeying Park regulations. Galapagos Conservancy supports Dr. Grove’s position and we have stated publicly that, should sport fishing move forward in Galapagos, it must have the benefit of strong regulations, responsible implementation, and provide real economic benefits to local residents.

The International Galapagos Tour Operators Association (IGTOA) has been involved in an effort to stop illegal sport fishing in Galapagos and is working closely with the International Game Fish Association (IGFA). In a joint statement with IGTOA, IGFA stated that it does not promote sport fishing in the Galapagos Marine Reserve, does not sanction any of its members to promote sport fishing, and agreed to inform its members that sport fishing is illegal.

IGTOA recently reported that a lawsuit has been filed against a Galapagos National Park Ranger on behalf of a group on the sport fishing boat, Albermar. According to the IGTOA report, Jaime Morales, the pilot of a small Park aircraft, flew over the boat, which resulted in a claim by the boat’s clients that his actions put the guests at risk. Park Director Raquel Molina has promised to use the Park's full legal resources to defend the pilot. A recent IGTOA press release quoted Molina as saying, “The group, which included a naval officer, were sport fishing and threatened to take away the Park pilot's license and kill the warden in charge of the flight. This does not intimidate us."

We appreciate the hard work of the members of IGTOA and Dr. Jack Grove in defense of the Galapagos Marine Reserve and in support of the Galapagos National Park.

Galapogos is one of my fishing destinations in the future, but I have to know first whether sportfishing is legal or not. If any sportfishermen get fines there, the sportfishing charter operations might have legal problems.

[LuckyDrew]

The operators keep referring to the 'Mayor' of San Cristobal as the legal entity that allows the activities. If it's legit it's legit. That must be a pretty powerful mayor. Controls land and sea. Cool gig. Drew