Are fishermen being offered viable alternatives to illegal fishing through the development of tourism in the Galapagos?
There has been talk of this, and some projects are reportedly underway. Local fishermen are now permitted to take travelers with them to show their local culture. But there are not many opportunities available for fishermen to enter the tourist industry. Lack of education, cultural and language differences, and lack of specialized skills provide barriers to entry for most. These need to be addressed for progress to be made. Our view at responsibletravel.com The long term future of the Galapagos lies in setting a balance between protection of the environment, the creation of sustainable local economic development and ensuring that the visitor experience is not diminished. In order to ensure that tourism in the Galapagos remains sustainable only tour operators who show a strong commitment to responsible tourism should be licensed to operate. Visitor numbers should be controlled, but need not be limited as long as measures are put in place to ensure that operators and tourists operate res
