Galapagos New Marine Reserve Enforcement Focuses On Locals And Not On International Commercial Vessels

PUERTO AYORA, Ecuador,(Reuters) - Though he makes a living from the protected waters around Ecuador's storied Galapagos Islands, fisherman Pedro Asensio has his doubts about an expanded marine reserve created last month by his country's government. Born in the 15,000-inhabitant municipal capital of the Galapagos' Santa Cruz Island, Asensio is one of 460 fishers who ply their trade within the 40 nautical miles that comprise the first Galapagos reserve. Locals say enforcement is wrongly focused on them and not the commercial vessels - including a 300-ship fleet from China - which anchor in international waters near the islands. Galapagos residents and scientists joined forces through the Mas Galapagos group, urging stricter marine species protection and fishing limitations in the 200-mile sovereign water zone around the islands. "The marine reserve has been very efficient at protecting coastal species, principally. Species that were on the path to extinction, like giant turtles, have been rescued," said Mas Galapagos biologist Eliecer Cruz. The four countries involved in the new corridor met at the end of January with the United Kingdom's Environment Minister, who announced a 2 million pound contribution to support the reserve. Enforcement challenges are myriad, Puerto Ayora naval captain Carlos Vallejo said, not just for the reserve but further afield.