NEWS & EVENTS
LATEST NEWS
Scientists and NGOs call for Ecuador, Panama, Costa Rica and Colombia to ratify the UN High Seas Treaty to deliver 30×30 in the High Seas
The Galapagos Marine Reserve is one of the best examples of marine protection. Ratify the UN High Seas Treaty as a matter of urgency, and commitment to leveraging it in order to protect the high seas in areas of common interest.
Connecting with Nature Program (CWNP): Five years bridging science and community
Did you know that more than 8,000 local people have participated in community engagement activities created by the Galapagos Science Center? In 2019 as a joint initiative of the Galapagos Science Center (GSC) and the Galapagos Conservation Trust (GCT).
Greenpeace´s Arctic Sunrise ship arrives in the Galápagos for research expedition
The Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise has embarked on a six-week expedition around the Galápagos Islands to showcase the amazing benefits of strong marine protection for one of the world’s most celebrated natural treasures and its iconic local species, and to support the urgent ratification of last year’s historic UN Ocean Treaty.
International Women´s Day: Celebrating the women behind the Galapagos Science Center
March 8 is International Women’s Day, a global day to celebrate the achievements of women everywhere, raise awareness about continued discrimination based on gender, and take action to promote gender parity. Since the GSC was founded in 2011, over 50 women have led research across more than 74 research projects.
SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES
Plastic pollution transcends marine protected area boundaries in the eastern tropical and south-eastern Pacific
Analysis of 430 sites to assess plastic pollution in ET/SE Pacific. No significant difference in plastic levels inside / outside of Marine Protected Areas.
Whole-genome analysis reveals the diversification of Galapagos rail (Aves: Rallidae) and confirms the success of goat eradication programs
Despite their short evolutionary history, rails have colonized seven different islands spanning the entire width of the archipelago.
Sea surface microplastics in the Galapagos: Grab samples reveal high concentrations of particles <200 μm in size
Grabs reveal four-orders of magnitude greater microplastic abundances than tows. 44 % of microplastic particles in seawater grabs were <200 μm. Plankton tows (mesh size 200 μm) underestimate seawater microplastic concentrations.
Divergent responses of pelagic and benthic fish body-size structure to remoteness and protection from humans
Marine megafauna are increasingly threatened and are difficult to protect. Understanding the influence of humans on body size in fishes is also challenging given that data on marine species often come from fishery-based activities.
EVENTS
5TH GALAPAGOS RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION SYMPOSIUM
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, on San Cristóbal Island, will host the 5th Galapagos Research and Conservation Symposium. This significant multidisciplinary event will feature scientific presentations and community-focused talks, showcasing research and initiatives related to conservation, environmental change, biodiversity and oceans, health, and community initiatives.
World Summit on Island Sustainability
In 2022, the Galapagos Science Center (GSC) and the broader UNC & USFQ Galapagos Initiative celebrated its 10th Anniversary. The GSC hosted the World Summit on Island Sustainability on June 26–30, 2022 at the Galapagos Science Center and the Community Convention Center on San Cristobal Island.