Galapagos invasive species:
Biosecurity

Effective prevention is the key: The border control system for the Galapagos

The work of inspection and quarantine is among the most important in the world as it has the vital objective of preventing the entry and spread of potentially threatening exotic species. This is particularly essential for the Galapagos Islands where exotic species threaten the unique native and endemic biodiversity of the natural ecosystems. Effective prevention is the key to achieving the total control of invasive species throughout the province of Galapagos. It is much more cost effective to prevent the arrival of introduced species as the costs of implementing mitigating activities after their arrival can be high and continuous.

The Galapagos Inspection and Quarantine System (SICGAL, for it’s Spanish name) is the integral programme of the Ecuadorian Agricultural Health Service (SESA) and has a high degree of inter-institutional coordination. Among other responsibilities, it has the principal objective of preventing the introduction of new species and organisms to the Galapagos Islands, in order to preserve their ecological integrity.

SICGAL consists of four programmes which together comprise quarantine barrier:

• Inspection and Quarantine Programme - the first barrier against the arrival of new exotic species, based in the airports and ports on the continent and in Galapagos, and using methods based on pest risk analysis, of goods and import products.
• Monitoring and Early Detection Program - the second barrier, to detect exotic species which have slipped through the first barrier.
• Emergency Response Program - the third barrier, to respond rapidly to exotic species detected, before they can cause damage or harm.
• Education and Communication Program - to involve and inform the community.

Source: Ecuadorian Agricultural Health Service in Galapagos (SESA Galapagos).