Puerto Ayora, home to two of our naturalists, is the largest town in Galapagos, with a population of close to ten thousand. Thanks to a great new law for Galapagos created in 1998, the increase in this population has now been completely stopped. Most inhabitants here make their living from tourism, cattle farming and fishing. This particular bay is a shipyard, where some of the local vessels are built, but it is also home to the fisherman's dock. The islands have a local fishing fleet made up of small traditional fishing boats, and while the relationship between fishermen and the National Park has historically been fraught with difficulties, the situation is finally beginning to change.
The catalyst for this change was also the creation of the new law, when conservationists and local residents (especially fishermen) finally all got together to discuss the details of the management of the new marine reserve. It looks like the message is getting through that the interests of both parties are not so in conflict after all: everyone needs to work together for the conservation of these wonderful islands.
