Since 2022, we have the pleasure of sailing the remarkable Galapagos Islands on board Aqua Mare, the region’s first true superyacht. On a daily basis, our guests experience sightings and wildlife encounters distinct from those found anywhere else in the world. We recognize the significance of the Galapagos’ Islands unique habitats and the importance of protecting them from manmade threats.
As of 2024, Aqua has partnered with the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) to support research and conservation efforts in the Galapagos Islands. This partnership is an extension of our commitment to conserving aquatic biodiversity across the regions which we sail. Through an annual donation and collaborative outreach, the partnership will raise funds to support the CDF’s Shark Ecology, Mangrove Ecology and Climate Change, and Educational Programs.
Sharks are important architects of marine ecosystems, shaping them through direct predation and by influencing the behavior of other species. In Galapagos, sharks are also of great importance to the local economy, given that the marine tourism industry, which heavily relies on shark sightings, provides employment to 37% of the active local workforce. It has been estimated that on average a live shark in Galapagos is worth 360,000 USD per year.
The CDF Shark Ecology program focuses on studying distribution and movement patterns of endemic shark species found inside the Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR). This information contributes to the evaluation of the effectiveness of the GMR in protecting various shark populations, enabling the development and implementation of science-based shark conservation strategies to improve their protection.
Mangroves are the most efficient carbon capture storage system in the world, making them of critical importance in mitigating climate change. Despite its importance, the mangrove ecosystem of Galapagos has traditionally been overlooked by scientists and conservationists, resulting in a lack of accurate baseline data on their ecology and contributions to the ecosystem.
The CDF’s Mangrove Ecology and Climate Change Program focuses on the identification of key mangrove areas in each bioregion that contribute to carbon storage, biodiversity, and fish production. This research will allow the foundation to better understand and conserve a critically understudied ecosystem vital for climate change mitigation.
Working closely with the CDF, Aqua Mare’s itineraries will now offer guests the opportunity to learn about the research being done to protect the Galapagos Islands’ ecosystems. Across our itineraries, guests will be able to visit at the CDF’s Marine Research Center for a firsthand look at the conservation efforts in place.
An annual donation from Aqua Expeditions will go towards supporting CDF’s Shark Ecology and Education and Outreach Programs. Guests will also be able to support fundraising efforts through the purchase CDF merchandise on board Aqua Mare or via donations. A $500 donation towards the mangrove ecology program will see 50 mangrove seedlings reared to restore a mangrove area affected by a volcanic eruption, while $500 towards the shark ecology program will contribute to health checks for 10 sharks. This includes blood analysis for a population health study. Through a collective effort, we aim to continue conserving the Galapagos Islands’ rich biodiversity.
