Special Law for Galapagos (a brief)

The National Congress and the Ecuadorian President officially designated the Galapagos Marine Reserve a "Protected Area" on March 18, 1998, with the passing of the Special Law for Galapagos (SLG). The SLG seeks to promote conservation of biodiversity and sustainable development in the Galapagos archipelago.

Main aspects of the law include:

• Establishment of the Galapagos Marine Reserve as a protected area to be managed through a participatory management system.
• Extension of the boundaries of the Marine Reserve to 40 miles around the archipelago, within which only tourism and artisanal fishing can be carried out. Industrial fishing was banned from the reserve.
• Establishment of regulations related to the transport of introduced species and a quarantine inspection system.
• Designation of tourist fees to support the Galapagos National Park Service, the Quarantine Inspection System, reserve-related activities of the Ecuadorian Navy, and municipal governments.
• Establishment of residence controls to reduce migration.
• Tax incentives for training local residents and requirements to provide preference to hiring local residents.
• Language which would allow significant educational reform in Galapagos.
• The Galapagos National Institute (INGALA), established in 1980, was given a new mandate to coordinate policies and planning in Galapagos.

While many aspects of the Special Law are not fully enforced or have not yet been operationalized, the Special Law does provide an excellent framework for effective conservation in Galapagos.

And also you can check the full text in spanish: