Oceans FC

Implementation Partner:

Galapagos Conservation Trust (GCT)

Project Timeline:

18 months (May 2026 – October 2027)

Location:

Galápagos Islands

Climate Rationale:

Climate Change Adaptation: Ecosystem Resilience

Climate Adaptation: Social Resilience

Impact Areas:

Marine Pollution

Marine and Coastal Ecosystems

Education, Skills and Training

Sustainable Livelihoods

PROJECT SUMMARY

Drifting fish aggregating devices (dFADs) have become a widespread fishing method of industrial tuna purse-seine fleets in the past 30 years, with an estimated 16 000–25 000 deployed in the Eastern Pacific annually (Escalle et al., 2023). Their efficiency is reported to have driven overfishing and high catches of juvenile tuna. In the GMR, dFADs are not a regulated fishing method - only artisanal fishing methods are allowed by the local fisheries regulation. In the Galápagos Marine Reserve (GMR), dFADs that have entered on ocean currents from the outside of the reserve and pollute sensitive oceanic and coastal habitats. They are an entanglement threat to vulnerable species such as sea turtles, sharks and rays, have the potential to spread invasive species, and are a collision risk for small artisanal boats.
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The total number entering the GMR annually is not available, the reports of dFADs received by the Galápagos National Park Directorate (GNPD) are likely a small fraction of the total entering. Galapagos Conservation Trust (GCT), working with its partners, will support the GNPD to safely retrieve and remove 15 dFADs over 18 months, while developing safety protocols for retrieval, mechanisms for citizen science reporting of dFADs and a strengthened case for improvements to collaborative dFAD retrieval models with the industry.

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OBJECTIVES

To improve the health and functioning of the Galápagos Marine Reserve & ecosystem by retrieving dFADs, while strengthening community-based reporting and increasing tuna industry responsibility and support for dFAD retrieval.

EXPECTED RESULTS

15 dFADs (approximately 1 500 kg) safely retrieved from the GMR.
A safety-oriented dFAD retrieval protocol co-designed with Conservation International the GNPD, and local stakeholders.
85 community members trained in dFAD data collection and a further 20 in safe protocols for dFAD retrieval (certified responders).
A community awareness campaign delivered, reaching an estimated 1,000 people across the Islands.
An economic impact report and a proposal for a sustainable funding mechanism that considers the whole value chain of the tuna industry for long-term financing of retrieval.
‍The trained community members, the database, the economic impact report and proposed funding mechanism, all feed directly into the GNPD's capacity to deliver their 2030 Plan to Reduce, Mitigate and Manage Plastic Marine Debris.

PARTNERING WITH Galapagos Conservation Trust (GCT)

Founded in 1995, Galapagos Conservation Trust (GCT) is the only UK-registered charity dedicated solely to conserving the Galápagos Archipelago. Working from grassroots to government level with a local and international network of partners, GCT turns cutting-edge science into coordinated, solutions-oriented conservation programmes that tackle the interlinked crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

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