Artisanal fishing within the Galápagos Marine Reserve (GMR) is more than just a source of income—it is the livelihood of more than 500 families and an essential part of the islands' culture including hotels, cruise ships, restaurants and feeding local people. Yet, this vital tradition is under increasing pressure from the combined impacts of El Niño and climate change, which threaten marine biodiversity and the local economy. Drawing on insights from the recent scientific publication “An Overview of the Socioecological Impacts of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation and Climate Change on Artisanal Fisheries in the Galápagos”, co-authored by our Principal Investigator Jorge Ramírez, we explore how these threats affect local fisheries and what actions are needed to secure a more sustainable future.
El Niño and Its Impact on Fisheries
El Niño is a natural climate pattern that warms ocean waters in the Pacific, disrupting weather and marine ecosystems by reducing nutrients and altering habitats. In Galápagos, past El Niño events—such as those in 1982/83, 1997/98, and 2015/16—caused significant changes. Warmer waters and fewer nutrients affected marine life, making some commonly fished species like the Galápagos grouper and spiny lobster decline, while others became more abundant, including invasive species. While the negative effects on conservation efforts are more widely documented, the effects of such extreme weather patterns on fishing productivity and the local communities that depend on them cannot be underestimated, yet remain relatively understudied.
Climate Change, Fisheries, and Governance
As the research highlights, climate change intensifies the effects of El Niño—exacerbated by rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, and changes in currents. These major disruptions impact the reproductive cycles and migratory patterns of various species of fish, creating uncertainty for fishers. As resources become scarcer, fishers are forced to venture farther, increasing operational costs and reducing profits, which jeopardizes their livelihoods.
In addition to environmental challenges, weak governance and overfishing has put further strain on artisanal fisheries. Without a strong set of policies to manage such disruptions, the risk to both marine ecosystems and the fishing industry greatly increases, which is why our researchers argue that a shift toward ecosystem-based management is crucial.
Ecosystem-based management goes beyond just regulating fishing activities; it takes a holistic view of the entire marine ecosystem. This approach considers the complex relationships between marine species, their habitats, and human activities such as fishing. By accounting for these interactions, it seeks to ensure that fishing practices are sustainable, that ecosystems remain healthy, and biodiversity is protected. “Such an integrated strategy is essential to address the compounded challenges of climate change, El Niño, and overfishing, ensuring the long-term health of the Galápagos Marine Reserve and the livelihoods it supports,” says Jorge Ramírez.
Billy Bensted-Smith
Rashid Cruz/CDF
Strategies for a Sustainable Future: Collaboration and Education
Against this backdrop, our researchers argue that enhancing the resilience and adaptive capacity of fishing communities has become a priority. They recommend equipping fishers with skills for alternative livelihoods, implementing evidence-based approaches to ecosystem management, and fostering collaboration between local knowledge and scientific research. “It is also vital that fishers are empowered to actively participate in decision-making and in improving governance systems—so they have ownership of the process and their future,” adds Jorge.
Collaboration among governments, researchers, and local communities, paired with investment in local research, can also help develop practical strategies to address the impacts of climate change and El Niño. Such actions aim to support sustainable fisheries and the livelihoods they sustain in Galápagos.
Carlos Espinosa/CDF
Conclusion
The future of Galápagos’ artisanal fisheries depends on addressing climate and ecological challenges with a comprehensive approach. Only through resilience-based management, sustainability, and active community participation can fishing remain a source of livelihood and pride for communities. Achieving this vision will require active collaboration and commitment from all stakeholders to maintaining the balance between humans and the ocean, ensuring a more sustainable future for the Galápagos Islands.
