Revealing the unseen: Shark finning in the Galapagos Marine Reserve through illegal fishers' eyes and a situational crime prevention approach

Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing presents a major threat to shark conservation in marine protected areas (MPAs). This study explores the history and evolution of illegal shark fishing in the Galapagos Marine Reserve through the perspectives of former poachers, utilizing a situational crime prevention approach. In depth interviews were conducted to understand the motivations, methods, and socio economic factors that drove illegal shark finning within the GMR. Using these insights, the scale and economic impact of illegal shark finning were quantified for the first time. From the 1980s to 2005, socioeconomic challenges and market demands incentivized local fishers to engage in shark fishing, with weak surveillance and corruption within regulatory bodies exacerbating IUU fishing. However, advancements in surveillance technology, reduction of shark fins price on the black market— likely caused by Decree 486 — and the availability of more stable economic alternatives, such as small-scale tuna fishing significantly reduced the incentives for illegal shark finning. Despite this success, illegal activities shifted to other forms, such as longlining and fuel trafficking, revealing the adaptability of illegal enterprises. To effectively combat IUU fishing, resilient socio-economic conditions, robust legal frameworks, and transparent institutions are required. This study also highlights the role of market dynamics in driving illegal activities, emphasizing the need to adopt a SCP approach to reduce opportunities for illegal fishing. The findings offer valuable lessons for developing effective, adaptive management policies to discourage illegal shark fishing in other multiple-use MPAs.