ACS Monterey Bay Program for April 2005

Marine Mammals of the Galapagos:
Science, Conservation, and Management

The Galapagos Islands are an oceanic archipelago located 1000 km west of the South American continent. The archipelago and its waters are a province of Ecuador, a National Park, a Marine Reserve, a Whale Sanctuary, and a Natural Heritage Site. A total of 23 cetacean species and two endemic otariids (Galapagos fur seal and Galapagos sea lion) have been reported from this region. The predominant community is characteristic of tropical upwelling systems (i.e., cool, productive waters): Common, Striped, Bottlenose, and Risso's dolphins, Short-fined pilot, Sperm, and Bryde's whales. During the austral winter, the migratory Humpback and Blue whales are also present in low numbers.

The remote condition of the islands and logistical demands make research challenging. However, a number of expeditions and other studies have generated important results. Regarding conservation status, the sperm whale and the fur seal were practically extirpated during the 19th century but their populations have recovered. Current problems include incidental mortality in fishing operations, vulnerability of certain populations to climatic events like El Niño, and other isolated anthropogenic events like oil spills, acoustic disturbance, and hunting of sea lions. Whale-watching is a growing activity in the Galapagos and while guidelines exist in this respect, the potential impact of this activity on the species has not been assessed. Photo-identification programs should be started aimed at the lesser-known and endangered species.

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