Results of the First Scientific Expedition in the “Hermandad” Marine Reserve Presented
, March 13, 2026
Four years after the creation of the Hermandad Marine Reserve (HMR), scientific research continues to expand our understanding of this important marine corridor in the Tropical Eastern Pacific. In this context, the Galápagos National Park Directorate held a discussion forum to present the main results of the first inter-institutional scientific expedition conducted in 2024, with the participation of INOCAR, IPIAP, ESPOL, and the Universidad San Francisco de Quito. These findings established the baseline of the ecological and oceanographic conditions of the HMR.
The results highlight the high productivity and ecological dynamism of the reserve, including species connectivity, the influence of the equatorial front on its ecosystems, seasonal variations between the dry and rainy seasons, as well as the record of more than 200 marine species and areas with low oxygen concentrations that influence the distribution of marine life.
From the Galápagos Life Fund, the organization that manages resources aimed at strengthening the conservation of the Hermandad Marine Reserve, we celebrate these scientific advances that contribute to strengthening the knowledge base for its management. In the coming weeks, a second scientific expedition is expected, which will complement this information and continue strengthening research in this marine protected area.
