Is there trouble in paradise? The perspectives of Galapagos community leaders on managing economic development and environmental conservation through ecotourism policies and the Special Law of 1998

摘要

In 1998, the government of Ecuador enacted a special law with the goal of both promoting environmental preservation and economic development in the Galapagos Islands. The reforms in the Special Law of 1998 were sweeping. Among other things it created the Galapagos Marine Preserve, limited the ability of immigrants arriving from mainland Ecuador to secure employment, restricted fishing to local residents only, and increased the institutional power of regulatory organisations like the Galapagos National Park. This article presents the results of a series of qualitative interviews conducted in July 2011 with local Island leaders on their support for the Special Law of 1998 in general and in regards to its implementation. The interviews also asked the respondents' opinions on a wider set of ecotourism policies and issues. The findings indicate that generally there is a great amount of support for the law amongst leaders, but there is a strong consensus that the Special Law has not been implemented effectively. The reasons behind these failures of implementation are multifaceted, but include: the weak and fragmented status of Galapagos institutions, a lack of professionalised leadership, leadership which engages in politicised decision-making, and, finally, failures to enforce unpopular provisions of the Special Law.