Quote:
Originally Posted by aramisun
The may berationale behind her decision.
"The tourism industry is literally loving the islands to death with tourism numbers increased by 150% over the last 15 years. More tourists mean more tourist vessels, more imports of food and fuel, more workers, more machinery, more cars, and more technology. The harbors are now full of ships and vessels unloading cement, construction equipment, and supplies. There is even one ship that transports only beer to the islands on a regular weekly run from the mainland.
All of this means more garbage in the landfills and more garbage washed up on the once pristine beaches.
Fishermen still bully their way on the islands to get what they want, ignoring the conservation regulations and quotas. Democracy is also the enemy of the islands with the majority of the population having a vested interest in electing politicians who support more exploitation and less regulation.
Fanny Uribe, a senator from the Galapagos and the darling of the fishermen was quoted as saying, “There is only one endangered species in the Galapagos and that is the human species.” She is constantly berating environmentalists for being more concerned with protecting iguanas and sharks than in protecting humans, failing to understand that if the ecosystem collapses so too does the foundation of all employment in the islands."
http://www.seashepherd.org/news/media_070629_1.html
http://www.seashepherd.org/news/media_070629_1.html |
No arguments that something should be done about the situation there.... I don't think anyone would argue against reasonable restrictions being put in place. The discussion will always be about how to define "reasonable". To cut it to only three boats seems a little much given the area covered. There should be something done about the problems in the Galapagos. But there should also be reasonable notice given to people. People shouldn't have thousands of dollars tied up in deposits and then told that they're not going to be allowed to make their trip. Can't blame them for being upset. I would be upset too. Hopefully they will come up with something better, but I doubt they will ever find anything that will make "everyone" happy. Have you been diving in the Galapagos yet? It's on my list, but there are so many places on my "list", I don't know if I will ever make it there :-)