Table of Contents Marine Protections in the Galápagos Benefit Nature, Ecuadorian Fishing Fleet, and Local Economy Frigates, pelicans, herons, and sea lions surround the fish market in the town of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz island in Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. Chris J. Ratcliffe Getty Images for Lumix Clustered in the Pacific Ocean 660 miles (996 kilometers) off Ecuador, the Galápagos Islands provide a critical refuge for an estimated 3,000 marine species, including whales, dolphins, sharks, sea lions, rays, sea turtles, tuna, and tropical fish. The archipelago, which is part of Ecuador, hosts some of the world’s highest levels of endemism—species found nowhere else. Yet the region faces threats from climate change, overfishing, and declining overall ocean health, due in part to years-long increases in commercial fishing. In 2020, nearly 300 international industrial fishing vessels—up from 60 ships in 2018—were seen fishing at the border of Ecuador’s exclusive economic zone, raising concerns about additional pressure on Ecuador’s marine resources, which were already experiencing increased domestic commercial fishing.