The Galapagos Islands - Plastic in the Pacific | DW Documentary

The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the most unspoiled nature in the world. But even here plastic waste is a problem, and biodiversity is under threat. Marine biologists and conservationists are campaigning for the expansion of protected zones.
The fauna and flora of the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean is a treasure trove for marine biologists. They still know very little about many of the fish, rays and sea turtles that can be found here. But these days, their work is focused primarily on conservation, because many of these species are endangered due to threats such as overfishing and boat strikes.
Efforts to protect local wildlife include attaching tracking devices to juvenile hammerhead sharks to determine their migration routes, which can then be designated as protected areas. Other research teams are focused on the problem of plastic waste in the Pacific - identifying where it comes from and exploring its impact on marine life.
Meanwhile, local fishermen are under pressure: Large fishing fleets from China and elsewhere ply the waters near the Galapagos Islands, severely depleting fish stocks. As a result, local fishing boats are forced to move into designated conservation zones. If the delicate marine environment surrounding the Galapagos Islands is to survive, fishing needs to become more sustainable.
#documentary #dwdocumentary #galapagos #plasticpollution
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[@JonnoPlays]

Thanks for producing this content DW.

[@emmanuel340]

I LOVE DW DOCU SO RELAXING TO WATCH ..WATCHING FROM PH ILIPPINES

[@ronin84]

Those seals just relaxing and sleeping on benches are amazing. Just another neighbor.

[@raclark2730]

Thanks to the journalist for including the local fishermen. They should not suffer because of the wrongs of others.

[@superstar1407]

As long as we prioritize money over life, this will be the outcome on any situation.

[@raclark2730]

Yeah and bring down capitalism, that will never happen be realistic. We drive the market. Why did McDonalds change from plastic straws to paper in some countries. Because they are nice, no because of marketing and how they want to appear. Most people have to and indeed want to work for a living. Demand what you want to see as a consumer and they are forced to change. The customer is always right.

[@yuriakahumanity]

@@raclark2730 Industrialized capitalism isnt sustainable. Believe me or not, but one cannot lie to nature.

[@superstar1407]

@@raclark2730 Thanks for your comment. You don't need to bring capitalism down, but we can modified, remember that is just a theorical system, in reality it doesn't had been applied as described. You assume that people understand how the system works and therefore they know how to make good choices, nothing further from the truth. Capitalism is not driven by the markets, is decided by the decision taken by any body of government depending on the types of laws they legislate to modify the makets increasing or decreasing types of interest or arancel on imports or exports to manage their country's economy. The client will be right only if he or she understood how the markets and legislative systems works. Hope that helps.

[@raclark2730]

@@superstar1407 Yes I agree marketing is not everything but it is a factor that can drive change. And if the clients are more educated the more they can rest control of the ship. corporations that do not do the right thing rely on people not being aware. As do many governments. I say keep the system but we all need to be more proactive about how its done.

[@superstar1407]

@@raclark2730 Thanks Clark, we are in the same boat, corporations have their best interests in their mind, as you suggested, is up to us to define which corporations align with our interest not just as consumers but as responsible citizens too. Have a nice day.

[@LB-fv6ry]

I was a volunter there in 2019, the amount of trash from around the world was insane.

[@marjiew]

I can't even imagine. I wish more people consuming understood where their trash was going. Out of sight, out of mind :(

[@yanikparsch3765]

What is the company you volunteered for? Would love to get involved

[@walkgreece]

Beautiful video !!!Thanks for another great Documentary!❤️❤️❤️

[@cheri238]

I was fortunate to see the Galagapos islands in my early youth. What would Dawin think? I thought these islands were protected. I guess one cannot with plastic in our oceans and seas, rivers, chemicals. Thanks to all who are making an effort. ❤I understand the people who have lived there and it's is their home and fishing is their occupation , no coorperation should come first. It is wonderful see all these people working together. This also happens in many other countries. Save the Amazon also. People are trying.

[@incumbentvinyl9291]

*corporation

[@Unedited2022]

I’ve just come back from Vietnam and Singapore and the plastic waste is shocking.

[@humbertsmith8864]

Where in Vietnam? So sad

[@Unedited2022]

@@humbertsmith8864 Cat Ba island was really bad. Lots of polystyrene is used for their floating fishing houses and it breaks down. You see little white bits floating in the sea and that was just one bit. Litter and human waste is everywhere. Singapore they literally use plastic for everything and double bag everything.

[@humbertsmith8864]

@@Unedited2022 Oh man, that's brutal. Thx

[@markcampbell369]

We live in Cuenca, Ecuador, and have visited the Galapagos many times. We’ve seen first-hand how the Chinese commercial fishing ships anchored right on the border discard their trash directly into the ocean. Tons of their trash wash ashore. The island guides are the unsung heroes - the routinely pick up floating and grounded trash coming from the ships.

[@waitaminute2015]

Corporations should be forced to change their bottling and packaging. If they don't produce it to begin with, it won't be a problem.

[@Gertyutz]

They won't go back to glass. They should be forced to dispose of their own plastic after humans use it.

[@PK-lh2om]

ahhh such a fascinating line of work, im jealous!

[@erwinibarra1289]

That is my country, thanks for this reportage, we have to protect this place

[@ericlakota1847]

The rays are amazingly gorgeous so love people.who do what she dose .it makes a difference knowing every thing about the sea creature's

[@HumminbirdMoth]

Learnt about the Galapagos 1970 at UCLA taking anthropology as elective. Decided to visit it one day upon seeing the photos of red-chested frigate birds!! Visited in 2008, landing into this National Park costed $100 and 4day-3night on a yacht cost $3000 but NO REGRET AT ALL!!! Wonder how much now, contemplating another visit.

[@thelearningstation289]

Thank you! Beautiful information but concerning at same time 😢

[@thelearningstation289]

Yes, doing that. Thank you!

[@user-px2ro6nv7y]

Class!!

[@amareshroy7732]

Not sorry to jot that use of plastic will not cut till catastrophe is palpable. Fossil fuel replaced by ev is doubtful. Battery making and disposal is not harmless.

[@marie-evepomerleau4476]

This is so sad 😭

[@rainp71]

dont remember if its Indonesia or off SRI LANKA but a huge forestry presence to protec Mangoves, like 8 patrol gates cant enter or leave i think without being caught. SAME SHOW making gardens on the water, because of RISING, using a lot oh hyacinths and dung maybe, but very cool and healthy

[@3m073]

"It's 5 in the morning and im barely awake" YUP me too

[@dontworry5351]

Good videos for those who are learning English

[@somerandomfella]

Dear China, shark fin doesn't increase your wang. Dear India, the ocean isn't a dump.

[@wallybingbang4350]

Man - Natures Greatest Mistake

[@sandife4nandes365]

Jacques Cousteau would be proud of this work.

[@kepasa4boo]

Water bottle from Lithuania in Galapagos?? Insane!

[@808bigisland]

;-) buy Perrier here in Hawaii. How did it get here?

[@NativeTexMexican]

I really hate my species sometimes...😣

[@kazj1728]

When the oil runs out, so too will our dependence on plastics. Let’s just use it all up as quickly as possible; I’m not even joking.

[@incumbentvinyl9291]

15:55 - Why are you lying? Do you think we are blind? The seal is resting in the shade, dead seals don't move on their own.

[@JusticeAlways]

Are you for any attempt to address this issue..regulations etc?

[@incumbentvinyl9291]

@@JusticeAlways What has that got to do with anything?

[@Gertyutz]

Making a mistake isn't the same as lying.

[@incumbentvinyl9291]

@@Gertyutz You don't think people edit these kind of videos? It's a DW documentary for crying out loud. You have no idea how much money goes into the production of one such documentary. This isn't kindergarten. This is an outright lie and they embarrassed themselves with their lack of professionalism by trying to adapt to an agenda.

[@Gertyutz]

@@incumbentvinyl9291 Of course they edit them, and they made an error. Lying is the the intention of deceiving someone.

[@jetdude787]

One more additive in our food; micro plastics, added to all the chemicals and hormones, gmos, etc. that we already consume… the future paints bleak

[@memorystyles5006]

The seal wasn’t even dead but he walked off

[@constitutionloversue]

With tsunami, and hurricane's, trash can go a long way to.

[@damianousley8833]

Given that China's fishing fleet is active in the region, so much for the marine diversity. The fishing fleets vacuum up al the fish and sharks.

[@sherali481]

Galapogs island ,i heve read about it in books of fsc intermediate,Darwin visited it.

[@DeeDeeEPonce]

Maybe the world Dee should be using hemp paper

[@raclark2730]

I agree hemp is a plant that can produce a lot of products sustainably.

[@christianmedina7134]

The translation is quite bad ..

[@superstar1407]

Baby shark do do do do do do baby shark🦈

[@sriram_raghavan]

In the name of protection also we harm them. If our foot print is not there the wild will thrive.

[@simonbertelsen4390]

This has been an issue for decades. Why is no one doin anything ? I mean put and end to it .. stop over fishing - stop using the sea as a trash Bin It really hurts me😢

[@simonbertelsen4390]

But I guess its the same as war between humans. We never learn or care

[@samshepperrd]

A lot of people crack a smile - think you're joking (or crazy) f you say single use plastics are a problem.

[@ishibi]

You know you're a dad when the video says "baby shark" and you immediately hum doo-doo-duh-doo.

[@imathreat209]

Blame central and South America who uses the rivers as trashcans

[@yashshah3484]

We hardly imagine our life without plastic now. But we have to reduce its usage. Can't believe something which was invented to replace ivory mere century ago is about to destroy our mother planet.

[@sandrabentley8111]

Destroys us too, eat the fish, eat the plastic. Most people have micro plastics in their system, from river runoff, water supply, fish and cattle, on and on. We're all dying from this crap.

[@incumbentvinyl9291]

@@sandrabentley8111 That's not how it works, ignoramus. We eat the meats of fish and cattle. The plastic is in the waste in the guts, obviously. No one is dying from this as people don't eat faces from wild animals.

[@sandrabentley8111]

@@incumbentvinyl9291 you are what you eat. The fish are getting cancers from the chemicals in the plastic. Everything they eat eventually gets into their flesh, same if you put garbage into your mouth it will effect your overall system, not just your gut. If you take vitamins, those vitamins help your whole body. You need to learn about the digestive system.

[@incumbentvinyl9291]

@@sandrabentley8111 That's hilarious. Cancer doesn't spread through consumed meat, even if one was to eat it raw. You understand nothing at all about biology. ''Everything they eat eventually gets into their flesh'' Hahahahaha! Priceless!

[@Gertyutz]

Not so much ivory as metal and glass. Household items were never made of ivory

[@albertchehade9916]

what would Nature expect from human waste?

[@FBAagent]

''lets save the planet'' . ''Yeah!!!'' ''lets pay 20 cents more for a environmental friendly packaging instead of plastic'' ''..silence............................''

[@raclark2730]

And the price will reduce the more the product is produced.

[@w.d.g.]

this fish tastes like plastic. Wait it is plastic.

[@tyskerbarn5171]

Scholz- send marines to fish it up, instaed of weapons to all world!

[@Annie-ZA]

🙏🙏PLEASE watch the DAILY SEAL RESCUES performed DAILY, 365 days a year by a small team of unpaid volunteers at OCEAN CONSERVATION NAMIBIA. 💥💥 Be warned that some rescues are horrific due to the severity of some injuries caused to the poor seals through mans filthy waste and negligence. 😫😢😭

[@rnunezc.4575]

China fishing illegally are all over the eastern pacific because they know its one of the richest waters left in the world. Ecuador nor C Rica, Colombia or Panama have the resources to protect effectively these very large zone. Only wirh the help of the developed rich countries can we protect these species and the best way in my knowledge is through sea sheapherd org. Find out and help please instead of just arguing.

[@cavegirl3712]

Maybe we should pick up the coke plastic place it on the doorstep of every coke factory do the same with Pepsi milk nestle on and on ….remove one time use plastic from industry with laws. No one time use plastics legal in food and water industries. There is no other way. Save plastic for good purposes like medical field like gloves etc. maybe tools big reusable water jugs. I like plastic but only for good just remove it from food consumer industry…… ridiculous that laws are not on the books by now

[@marthaarnold6763]

We humans the worst to destroy the planet. So sad!!! We are destroying the planet!!!😢😢😢

[@raclark2730]

No time for tears, be the change.

[@marthaarnold6763]

@@raclark2730 Yo, pongo mi granito de arena todos los días. Tú que haces Mr? De todas maneras pienso que ya es demasiado tarde para salvar nuestro planeta.

[@raclark2730]

@@marthaarnold6763 I am going to need a translation on that friend. 😁

[@marthaarnold6763]

@@raclark2730 Good! Better study something useful.

[@raclark2730]

@@marthaarnold6763 Bullshit is a international term I am sure. Again be the change don't be afraid. 😉

[@abbyarnold4477]

The narrator doesn't say how the ocean has become polluted.

[@sandrabentley8111]

Seriously?

[@wolfreaper9771]

Man-made pollution.

[@incumbentvinyl9291]

Your local church will - ''God works in mysterious ways''

[@valturesnake5303]

300%increase in Plastic sense CV-19

[@Halomans]

yup gotta believe that when ALL of our products come in plastic and not everyone is willing to recycle the packaging like EVERYONE should be doing. Crazy how much people consume but none of them hold themselves responsible for anything.

[@10laws2liveby]

Someone pays for all these people to study the obvious, pollutants are not good for the environment. Gee, who'd have guessed

[@darinherrick9224]

It doesnt matter what you believe. It only matters what you can PROVE.

[@bp2352]

😂😂😂😂 wtf did you expect to happen?

[@808bigisland]

Mmhh baby hammerhead. Best shark meat. Plastic garbage. I fish the Pac and hardly see plastic but then I never really venture into the South-east gyre.

[@bubblesmelt7368]

Sum of that trash is from the poachers sneaking in. Hopefully they catch them.

[@PEACE.-]

It's time to forbid at least 50% of plastic

[@incumbentvinyl9291]

Ignorance.

[@Gertyutz]

@@incumbentvinyl9291 Not so. It's a good idea, whether it's feasible or not.

[@incumbentvinyl9291]

@@Gertyutz What a grand contradiction, hahaha! How can you possibly call an idea that you yourself call unfeasible a good idea?! Imbecile.

[@MiS-jy4gm]

you have to stop this propaganda about human's being responsible for plastic pollution. What is the percentage of world population that lives in a coastal area, and have access to the oceans to throw plastic to the sea. I live near the ocean and never throw anything in the water, ever. But I am sure that is the recycling business that might be doing in my name by dumping all those recyclables in the ocean instead to process and recycle them, so stop blaming humans and hold irresponsible businesses and business owners accountable for this disaster

[@darinherrick9224]

Ever live near a coastal landfill? I have. The plastic gets blown away by the wind out to sea where the tides carry it thousands of miles away. The only way to stop the problem is to STOP producing non-biodegradable plastic completely forever.

[@incumbentvinyl9291]

Sounds pretty stupid. I throw things in the ocean all the time. Peas, leaves, fish, bark - you name it. On rare occasions, especially back in the day when we had more glass bottles, I'd sink one from time to time, I may also throw nails in the sea rarely. It's not disturbing anyone or anything in the depths of the ocean.

[@incumbentvinyl9291]

@@darinherrick9224 You leave plastic outside so that it gets blown away by the wind? That's hilarious!

[@Gertyutz]

Much of the plastic comes from the rivers that flow into the oceans. This is especially true in poor countries where there's no regular garbage pickup. But you're right that corporations should be responsible for the disposal of their own plastics.

[@lionheart7043]

Selfish humans...

[@pr0fess0rbadass]

Late stage capitalism manifest

[@raclark2730]

You know the majority of trash in the Pacific originates from a communist country, as does the most destructive fishing fleet. So I hope you are not suggesting that the usual alternative is the alternative.

[@pargevkarapetyan2251]

Terrible.Wy we peoples so stupid and bad for our moder nature.This is very depressing for peoples understanding scope of problem😔