What is “Artisanal Vivencial Fishing”?

No-one here denies the ecological soundness of “Sport-Fishing”, particularly as promoted by bodies such as the International Game Fish Association (IGFA).  However, simply opening the Marine Reserve to “Sport-Fishing” would defeat the primary purpose of the AVF initiative. The considerable investment in boats and equipment is generally beyond the reach of local fishermen and the market would quickly be dominated by better financed and more experienced mainland and foreign operations. If that were to happen, as it has with the tourism industry in general, little or no benefit would flow back to the islands. Accordingly, Vivencial Fishing licences are restricted to those fishermen that are already licensed to fish for a living in the Reserve.

This is how “Pesca Artesanal Vivencial” it is described in the Regulations:

“Pesca Artesanal Vivencial: Es una actividad pesquera y turística mediante la cual el pescador artesanal de Galápagos, utilizando su licencia PARMA, su permiso de pesca y su propia embarcación, ofrece a los visitantes el arte, la cultura de la actividad pesquera, y su experiencia y conocimiento de vivir en armonía con la naturaleza. Se trata de una actividad demostrativa con un limitado nivel de extracción y captura sin fines de comercialización; con un componente turístico en los ámbitos de la seguridad, calidad de servicio e interpretación ambiental. Solo podrán ejercer esta actividad los pescadores artesanales de Galápagos que cumplan con los requisitos y procedimientos establecidos en las normas vigentes.”

In English:

Artisanal Vivencial Fishing is an activity, combining fishing and tourism, by which a fisherman of the Galapagos uses his PARMA (personal operating licence issued by the GNP), his Permiso de Pesca (boat licence issued by the GNP) and his own boat, to offer visitors a taste of the art, knowledge and culture of the fisherman living in harmony with nature. This is a “demonstration” activity with a limited amount of extraction (i.e. emphasis on catch-and-release) and a touristic element, with emphasis on safety, quality of service and understanding of the environment. Only the artisanal fishermen of the Galapagos qualify to provide this service, which they do, subject to existing administrative rules.

The principal of Galeodan, herself from a fishing family, is a fully accredited member of the San Cristobal fisherman’s co-operative: Copes-Promar.  To view the Vivencial Fishing Licences issued by the GNP and Capitania, click <here>.

Most Vivencial Fishing operations here consist of partnerships whereby one entity owns the boat, another the licence, with sometimes even a third party operating the boat.

Galeodan is 100% owner-operated and there are no outside partners involved. Our captain and crew are also island residents. Per the spirit and intent of the Artisanal Vivencial Fishing initiative, the maximum possible benefit stays here, in the Galapagos.

 Email:  Info@Galeodan.com,  Tel:  +593 5 252 1945, Cell: +593 9 431 1600, +593 9 525 0348, +1 (646) 257-5948

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