To help strengthen local emergency response, Fundación Jocotoco, with the support of Save The Blue Five and the Bezos Earth Fund, organized the Marine Megafauna Disentanglement Workshop in Galápagos on May 2122. The workshop aimed to equip frontline responders with the knowledge and practical skills needed to safely assist marine wildlife affected by entanglement.
The workshop brought together staff from the Galápagos National Park Directorate, members of the Ecuadorian Navy, artisanal fishers, naturalist guides, and community members for two days of theoretical and hands-on training focused on improving emergency response to marine wildlife entanglements.
Participants learned about:
- Identifying marine megafauna species.
- Assessing risks before attempting a rescue.
- Safety protocols for rescue teams.
- Species-specific disentanglement techniques.
- Simulated rescue operations under realistic field conditions.
This combination of classroom instruction and practical exercises provided participants with the technical knowledge and coordination skills needed to respond effectively when marine animals become entangled.
Entanglement in fishing gear and marine debris is one of the leading human-caused threats to marine wildlife worldwide. Lost or discarded nets, ropes, and fishing lines can cause severe injuries, restrict an animal’s movement, prevent it from feeding or surfacing to breathe, and, in many cases, result in death.
In a globally important ecosystem like Galápagos, where many marine species are found nowhere else on Earth, having trained responders ready to act can make a life-saving difference.
Beyond the technical training, the workshop strengthened collaboration among government agencies, artisanal fishers, naturalist guides, and local communities. This growing network of trained responders increases the likelihood that entangled animals will be detected quickly and assisted safely, while ensuring that rescue operations are carried out with the highest standards of safety for both people and wildlife.
By investing in local capacity, Fundación Jocotoco and its partners are helping safeguard the extraordinary marine biodiversity of Galápagos and strengthening long-term conservation efforts across the archipelago.
Every person trained represents another opportunity to save the life of a sea turtle, dolphin, shark, or whale when every minute counts.