DATELINE: 25 June 2002

GALAPAGOS SUFFERS DOUBLE WHAMMY
Scientists measuring the impact of an oil spill on Galapagos wildlife have discovered that it was far more serious than expected, and a vessel arrested for illegal fishing has escaped detention.
A study into last year's oil spill has revealed that over half of the iguanas on a nearby island died shortly afterwards. It had been assumed that most of the Galapagos Islands' rare species had escaped harm when the oil spill was blown away from the islands and dispersed at sea.
Researchers now believe that even low levels of oil contamination can have a dramatic negative impact on wildlife. The research warns against complacency over pollution in other remote areas such as the Arctic
The Galapagos National Park are offering a 10,000 US dollar reward for information leading to the recapture of the Costa Rican long line fishing vessel Maria Canella II. The vessel was caught illegally fishing in the marine reserve in March last year with 1,074 shark fins in the hold. The reward includes 2,000 US dollars donated by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society; an organisation which had assisted with the capture of the vessel.

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