Cover image from Evolve to Ecology
The Galápagos Islands are home to so many unique species of animals. Some animals can only be found on those islands and nowhere else in the entire world. They are incredibly beautiful and are flourishing with life. Many ecologists from around the world flock to the island to view and study the amazing creatures. The islands are home to both unique land and sea creatures. On-land iguanas, blue-footed boobies, giant turtles, and much more thrive and live in peace away from the world. In the water lives sea turtles, whale sharks, and a never ending list of marine life. This is where Charles Darwin did his research on finches and adaption. The world has fallen in such love with these islands that there is a protection zone around them. Only science and education is allowed…no tourism, fishing, or hunting.
Unfortunately, some do not respect the islands as much as others do. Currently, there is an insanely large fleet of Chinese fishing boats that are pushing the border of the protection zone. The fleet was found by the Ecuadorian navy. They have been there for close to two months, and no one has been talking about it. Seven hundred fishing vessels have been crowded at the south side of the protection zone. They have been mass fishing and threatened to go farther into the zone. They originally were mass fishing and catching squid, but recently they have claimed that they have decided to only catch squid from now on. China has put a temporary ban on fishing near the islands in an attempt to stop the fleet. It failed to work. As fishing season winds down, here is a hope that they will leave soon.