Darwin Island

Template: Infobox Island / Maintenance / image missing

Darwin ( Culpepper English ) is an uninhabited island located in the extreme northwest of belonging to Ecuador and Galapagos Islands with an area of ​​just over 1 km ² at the same time is the northernmost and westernmost island of the archipelago. It was named after Charles Darwin and was about 700,000 years ago. The closest island is located 34 km wolf and further south. On the island live many seals, marine iguanas, sea turtles, and numerous species of birds, among them the vampire finches.

Conservation

The island is a far-reaching protection of the National Park Service to enter is strictly prohibited, except permits for scientists and film crews were hardly yet been granted in recent years. Local fishermen can purchase volume and duration of temporary licenses, but must exercise their acquisition only with fishing, not with nets and certainly not with longlines.

About 2 km south-east of the island around the cliffs on the exposed rock that Darwin's Arch is one of the most interesting diving areas in the world. It is particularly known for the large schools of hammerhead sharks, which often contain over 200 animals here, but also other large fish such as manta rays, eagle rays, Kuhnasenrochen, reef sharks, whale sharks can be observed in large numbers here. The very rich fishing waters around the island are inhabited by large dolphin populations (different species), orcas and other whales often move over.

Also apply to recreational divers for stringent rules, there are only a few tour operators granted licenses.

Regular patrols of the National Park Service and the Ecuadorian Coast Guard to ensure compliance with the rules by fishermen and divers.