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Galapagos Islands Liveaboards Shut Down
Posted by Neil on August 13th, 2007
On July 9, the Galapagos National Park (GNP) immediately suspended dive operations in the area, affecting 15 liveaboards.
Some have stopped running, others are only doing Southern itineraries and skipping Wolf and Darwin Islands. Only Peter Hughes’ Sky Dancer and the Galapagos Aggressors I and II are still operating. They have special GNP permits to combine diving and land activities while the others do not, however the GNP hasn’t required these permits in the 18 years Galapagos liveaboards have been diving.
The decision came a week after the United Nations placed the GNP on the list of World Heritage sites in danger from environmental threat and overuse. The liveaboards are negotiating with Ecuador’s government to reopen dive operations. Divers worldwide are also putting on the pressure by protesting to the Ecuadorean ambassador in their country.
An agreement may soon be worked out to let dive boats finish their 2007 trips and apply for dive permits in 2008. If you have booked a GNP dive trip, contact whomever you booked for more information.