According to an article published in CN Traveler, Quasar Expeditions’ new M/Y Conservation will offer a blueprint for preserving the area’s fragile ecosystem as well as the tourism.
Galapagos islands
Due to a myriad number of reasons the Galapagos is a coveted travel destination. It’s an attribute that makes it special—but it also makes it vulnerable.
An archipelago made up of 13 major islands (97 percent of which makes up the Galapagos National Park) off the west coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos are home to an astounding amount of endemic species—around 80 percent of the land birds, 97 percent of the reptiles and land mammals, and more than 30 percent of the plants are all native and not found anywhere else on the earth. Although the park is heavily regulated, some 225,000 visitors pass through the islands each year—many arriving for only two or three nights, which is less sustainable than a six- or seven-night stay. As a result, there’s mounting concern about unsustainable tourism and the disruption of the fragile ecosystem.
The negative impact of tourism
“Yes, tourism can have a negative impact, but without it, the islands wouldn’t be preserved the way they are,” says Fernando Diez, marketing director of the family-run Quasar Expeditions, which focuses on sustainable tourism in South America, from Patagonia and Peru to Ecuador and the Galapagos. The company, which is based in Ecuador, is the oldest operator in the Galapagos. They run year-round expeditions here on one of their two boats, the M/V Grace (16 guests) and M/Y Evolution (32 guests), which offer-seven night sailings along the eastern or western islands. We’re currently here on the Evolution, which anchors out in the water and uses smaller zodiac boats to shuttle guests to the islands for daily excursions.
Launch of a new boat
In the new year, Quasar will launch a third boat, the M/Y Conservation (18 guests), which the company says will likely be the most sustainable boat to cruise the islands, thanks to a new model of engine. In addition to reducing its environmental imprint, it will also offer less waste and a string of conservation efforts, notably working with scientists and biologists who are integral to the park’s ongoing research.
“We have been around for 33 years,” Diez says. “We’ve worked with the Charles Darwin Foundation (which conducts scientific research and promotes environmental education) and the Galapagos National Park, as well as private scientists and biologists to figure out what the most pressing issues in the Galapagos are.”
Issues plaguing the island
The main aggravators, according to Quasar, are overpopulation, illegal fishing, and overfishing, waste management, preservation, as well as introduced—sometimes invasive—species. Add tourists to the mix, and it puts more strain on the delicate environment. The more flights and boats that enter from the mainland, the higher the risk that harmful rats, flies, and other creatures come with it. (Currently, there’s a species of finch in the Galapagos that is endangered because of the unassuming house fly, which was accidentally brought in from the mainland).
Tourism, the main source of funding
Yet tourism is the main source of funding and preservation for the national park. And without preservation, the park wouldn’t be protected from illegal fishing and poaching. “If tourism wasn’t the focus of the Galapagos, then it’s likely illegal fishing would be,” Diez says. “There’s nothing wrong with visiting a place that is fragile, as long as you do it responsibly.”
Role of M/Y Conservation
The M/Y Conservation will minimize its impact on the marine ecosystem by using solar power technology and electric energy, as well as make use of an eco-friendly propulsion system that will prevent bioaccumulation caused by gas pollutants. While the full details of that system are yet to be revealed, the propulsion system of the zodiacs is set to decrease gas emissions by 100 percent and be almost entirely silent, which means marine life won’t be disturbed.
“There is currently no electric or renewable energy solution to propel yachts of this size,” Diez says. “For now, we have to stay with diesel-powered engines; we just need to make them as efficient and clean as possible.” While the eco engines will help with water pollution, they don’t solve other issues like waste management and conservation solutions. Onboard the Conservation—as with the Grace and Evolution—gray and white waters go through a water treatment plant, which filters bacteria and organic substances to accelerate decomposition and eliminate odors, so they don’t contaminate the ocean when released back. Amenities will be 100 biodegradable, and cleaning supplies will also be non-toxic and biodegradable.
Waste recycling
To avoid plastic and organic waste generated by daily meals, the ship will have a production kitchen in mainland Ecuador that will send vacuum-sealed and pre-cooked food to the Galapagos. Quasar is also implementing a recycling plant at the head office in Puerto Ayora (in the Galapagos) to recycle materials that will either be reused on the ships or shipped back to the mainland. This will greatly reduce the amount of waste on the islands.
“Every three months or so we will have somebody on the yacht who is an expert on topics like geology, overpopulation, or recycling, who will speak to guests about issues facing the islands,” Diez says. The islands are in constant need of research and sustainability solutions, and there are a number of ongoing conservation projects underway (such as the finch project). Quasar sponsors experts like scientists and biologists, who play a significant role in providing intel to conserve the environment, and supports their field research.
Once information about the new engines, which will use solar power technology and electric energy, is released, Quasar will develop a manual that is free for anyone in the Galapagos to use. “We want to create a model that will be replicable with other ships,” Diez says.
Conclusion
There are few places today where you can have such intimate, solitary moments with wild animals. But the Galapagos Islands will only continue to offer those experiences if ships like the M/Y Conservation become the blueprint for more boats to come. “We’re hoping that in five or 10 years, the park will say: every cruise company needs to have these new engines onboard,” Diez says. “Or every company needs to process its food on the mainland. Maybe that could be the solution.”
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Source: CNTraveler
