20 Chinese fishermen have been jailed after being convicted of illegally catching more than 6,000 sharks.
An Ecuadorian judge passed sentences of between one and four years after the crew of the Chinese ship Fu Yuan Yu Leng 999 were discovered in August with hammer, Silky fox, fox, pelagic fox and mako sharks, more than 1,000km northwest of the Galapagos.
The Minister of Environment, Tarsicio Granizo, emphasized that "this sentence is in line with the policy of zero tolerance for disrespect of our sovereignty and our most elementary principles as a nation, since Ecuador recognizes nature as the subject of Rights. This ruling marks a precedent in environmental legal matters, at the country level and in the region.”
Prison and fines
In addition to being convicted of possession and transport of protected species, the sentence also included a fine of USD$5.9m for the reparation of damages to the marine ecosystem.
16 of the crew were convicted as accomplices of the crime and sentenced to one year in prison. They must pay eight basic salaries to the judiciary, in addition to remediation payment of more than USD$2m.
The three other officers sentenced as perpetrators are required to pay nine basic salaries to the judiciary and remediation payments of more than USD$2m, plus serve three years in prison.
The master was convicted as an aggravating author and will have to pay 10 basic salaries to the judiciary and more than USD£2m for remediation to the Galapagos National Park. A 4-year prison sentence was also passed.
Vessel confiscated
The ruling included the criminal confiscation of the vessel, which may be auctioned for the benefit of the Galapagos population. If the boat is sold at auction, the proceeds will be given to the Galapagos National Park.
The Ministry of the Environment is responsible for 97% of the territory of Galapagos and 100% of its Marine Reserve.
The holding and transport of protected species (sharks) within the Galapagos Marine Reserve is an offense established in Article 247 of the Comprehensive Criminal Code.
"Ecuador has acted in compliance with environmental legislation and presents a global warning of what is happening on a daily basis in our oceans, which requires an immediate response from the United Nations on indiscriminate fishing," said Walter Bustos, director of the Galapagos National Park Directorate.
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