Latest Updates about Monitoring Efforts

Activities in San Cristobal

On Thursday February 15, personnel from the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) in San Cristobal reported that more fuel had started leaking from the Jessica in the morning. The fuel was actually washing up onto the shore. Fortunately it was only a small amount 2,000 or 3,000 gallons, but it was an ominous reminder of what may have happened if the currents had been flowing in the other direction when the first spill occurred.

As soon as the latest spill occurred,

The Galapagos National Park Service (GNPS) continues to coordinate the clean up, monitoring and wildlife rescue operations throughout the archipelago. The latest GNPS press release gives information on their activities.

The Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) has supported GNPS efforts, particularly through monitoring. Results of the various trips underway continue to come in and the impacts so far have been minimal.

On Friday February 2, the vessel Flamingo I returned to Santa Cruz. The team of scientists had systematically monitored

El Servicio Parque Nacional Galápagos (SPNG) contin=FAa coordinando las operaciones de limpieza, monitoreo y rescate de vida silvestre en todo el archipiélago. El ultimo boletín de prensa del SPNG ofrece información sobre sus actividades.

La Estación Científica Charles Darwin (ECCD) contin=FAa asistiendo al SPNG, particularmente con monitoreos. Los resultados de los viajes en marcha están empezado a dar resultados y afortunadamente la situación se encuentra, en su mayor parte, bajo control.

El equipo de investigación a bordo del

The Galapagos National Park Service (GNPS) continues to coordinate the clean up, monitoring and wildlife rescue operations throughout the archipelago. The latest GNPS press release gives information on their activities.

The Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) continues to support the GNPS efforts, particularly through monitoring. Results of the various trips underway are starting to come in and fortunately the situation is largely under control.

The research team on board "Flamingo

Isabela: Reports of slicks keep coming in. Today we received news of bunker fuel in the vicinity of Cartago Bay on eastern Isabela. The Ecuadorian Coast Guard vessel "17 de diciembre" left San Cristobal this morning for Isabela with equipment to make a barrier at the entrance of the Bay to prevent any more fuel entering. At 6:00 a.m., the Galapagos National Park Service (GNPS) and Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) personnel left Santa Cruz to help with clean up operations

The slicks that were reported yesterday, have now reached the islands of Isabela and Floreana. This morning a National Park motor launch took Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) and Galapagos National Park Service (GNPS) personnel, and international specialists in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation to Puerto Villamil, on Isabela. They have equipment with them to clean and treat any oiled wildlife if the need arises.

Another vessel "Sirenian" took GNPS personnel to Floreana to help with the clean up operations that started

San Cristobal: Yesterday Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) personnel monitored the northern shoreline of San Cristobal looking for oiled wildlife. Today they will concentrate on the southwestern shoreline. They hope to start washing and treating the affected pelicans today and training the Galapagos National Park Service (GNPS) personnel in the specific techniques.

After monitoring the subtidal and intertidal zones of the island yesterday CDRS marine biologists and GNPS staff have

San Cristobal: Of the many oiled pelicans on the island only four heavily oiled juvenile pelicans have needed to be cleaned; they are still sick so they are being monitored. One gull with small patches of oil is being monitored, but does not need to be cleaned.

Many of the sea lion pups have eye infections. Before the oil spill only five individuals were infected but now approximately 50 pups and two juveniles are reported to have eye infections.

Dead fish, particularly puffer fish have

One team of researchers is covering the coastline from Academy Bay to the Northeast side of Santa Cruz. They are conducting baseline surveys of sea lions and birds found there and also checking for oil patches or any creatures that may already be affected, to bring them to the rehabilitation and cleaning center based in the Charles Darwin Research Station/Galapagos National Park Service headquarters in Santa Cruz.

Another team in the "Spondylus" is making monitoring runs on the open sea between Santa Cruz and Santa