THE 10 MOST OUTSTANDING GALAPAGOS ISLANDS PRODUCTS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2024

The products produced in the Galapagos Islands are mostly used for local consumption. Although they are important in the territory, their impact is light years away from tourism, the country's main source of wealth.

The economy of the islands is mainly sustained by visitors, as about 180,000 visitors come to the islands each year.

Although most of the profits from tourism go to operators, the islands benefit from hotel occupancy and tours that are organized with local guides.

Another of the main industries in Galapagos is artisanal fishing, and to a lesser extent agriculture. These industries are strictly regulated to safeguard the natural heritage of the islands.

In recent times, vermiculture has been added to the productive activity of the islands, which is an added value for agricultural production, improving its quality. It also favors the treatment of waste and creates jobs.

10 products from the Galapagos Islands

1- Tuna

The Galapagos Islands are one of the richest regions for tuna fishing. The two predominant varieties are yellowfin tuna (Thunnus Albacares) and big-eyed tuna (Thunnus Obesus).

On the islands, due to regulations to preserve the ecosystem, only artisanal fishing is allowed. For this reason, the islands' production only occupies 11% of the total tuna exported by Ecuador.

2- Sea lobster

It is one of the most exported products from the islands. In the 1980s, its indiscriminate fishing led it almost to extinction.

Regulations for the recovery of the species have been implemented for a decade. The two species caught on the islands are the red lobster (Panulirus Penicillatus), and the green lobster (Panulirus Gracilis).

3- Sea cucumber

The sea cucumber (Holothuroidea) is native to the waters of the Pacific. The great demand from Asian countries, especially China, made it almost extinct.

Due to this demand, it was decided to promote breeding stations for export without predating the island's coastline.

4- Cod

Cod (Gadus Macrocephalus) is fished on the islands almost exclusively for domestic consumption. But in the Easter celebrations, it is exported to the continent as dried cod.

5- Swordfish

Fishing for swordfish or billfish varieties such as black marlin, blue marlin, striped marlin and others, have fostered the sport fishing industry in the islands.

6- Albacore

Albacore is a species of tuna (Thunnus Albacares) that is fished very well on the islands. Its white meat, being highly regarded within the local gastronomy.

7- Coffee

Only 3% of the island's surface is dedicated to agriculture, this being reduced to a few large farmers and small orchards. Coffee is one of the most widespread and almost all the production is for local consumption.

8- Watermelon

Watermelon is one of the most exported fruits by Ecuador. The islands have a 1% share of the country's totals.

The variety that is sown is the Charleston Gray, to which 30 ha are allocated. of land on the Santa Elena Peninsula.

9- Pineapple

Pineapple is another of the most popular crops on the Islands. The most widely sown varieties are Hawaiian and Golden sweet.

10- Banana

Ecuador is the world's leading exporter of bananas, with the islands contributing a small portion of the total. The variety that is grown is the Cavendish.

In conclusion, we can add that the challenge for the Galapagos Islands is to increase their production without harming the ecosystems of the place.

References

1. Pineapple cultivation and the climate in Ecuador - Collected from elproductor.com.
2. First organic coffee crop in the Galapagos Islands - Collected from munchies.vice.com.
3. Galapagos - Collected from www.galapagos.org.
4. Sport fishing in the Galapagos Islands - Collected from boletindelpescador.com.ar.
5. Cod comes from the Galapagos Islands - Collected from www.eluniverso.com.