Galapagos Islands

EDM number 1417 in 1994-95, proposed by Ernie Ross on 14/07/1995.

That this House applauds the efforts of the Ecuadorian Government to protect the unique ecosystem of the Galapagos Island, whose significance was first noted by Charles Darwin in 1835; notes the establishment of the Galapagos Marine Resources Reserve, but is concerned to see the development of a commercial fishery for Sea Cucumber (isostichopus fuscus), the continued exploitation of sharks and the proposal to permit the development of sports fishing, all of which will have a negative impact on the fragile ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands and will seriously damage the importance of the Galapagos as an area for vital scientific research; notes the unique importance of the Galapagos in the understanding of the planet, and urges the Ecuadorian Government to take immediate steps to limit immigration to the islands to reduce population pressure on the Galapagos National Park and the Galapagos Marine Resources Reserve and to do all in its power to preserve the Galapagos as an example to the whole world of the importance of the earth's natural heritage.

This motion has been signed by a total of 43 MPs.