Advancing Together Toward Effective Management of the Hermandad Marine Reserve
, February 5, 2026
On February 4 and 5, an interinstitutional workshop was held to reactivate the participatory working groups that support the coordinated implementation of the Hermandad Marine Reserve Management Plan—one of the most important governance instruments for the long-term protection of this unique marine ecosystem.
The workshop brought together key national and regional institutions involved in marine management and conservation, including the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the Galápagos National Park Directorate, the Undersecretariat of Fisheries Resources, the Undersecretariat of Foreign Affairs, the Regional Directorate of Insular Aquatic Spaces, the Oceanographic and Antarctic Institute of the Navy, and the Galápagos Life Fund.
The Galápagos Life Fund was represented by Danny Rueda, who participated in the technical discussions and coordination spaces throughout the workshop.
During the two-day working sessions, participants shared progress achieved to date in the sustainable management of the Hermandad Marine Reserve and identified priorities for the next phase of implementation. As a concrete outcome, four participatory management working groups were reactivated and strengthened, each with a defined action plan to guide follow-up efforts:
Control and surveillance, focused on strengthening monitoring and enforcement mechanisms
Research, aimed at improving scientific knowledge to inform decision-making
Fisheries activity traceability, to promote transparency and sustainability in fishing practices
International cooperation, to support strategic partnerships and long-term financing
These working groups play a critical role in ensuring coordinated, transparent, and effective management of the Hermandad Marine Reserve, fostering collaboration across institutions and aligning technical, scientific, and policy efforts.
The Galápagos Life Fund remains committed to supporting processes that strengthen governance, collaboration, and long-term sustainability in Galápagos. Protecting the natural capital of Hermandad and the Galápagos Archipelago requires shared responsibility, coordinated action, and sustained investment.
This interinstitutional workshop was made possible thanks to financing from the Galápagos Life Fund and was co-executed through coordination between Fundación Jocotoco and WildAid.
