Ecuador expands 'underwater superhighway' for migrating species in the Galapagos
The Galapagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site 600 miles from mainland Ecuador, is home to many rare species, such as marine iguanas, giant tortoises and Darwin's finches, and tops the bucket lists of many travelers.
After visiting the islands in 1835, Charles Darwin went home and developed the theory of evolution. Galapagos National Park was established in 1959. In 1998 a marine reserve was established to protect the unique volcanic archipelago. And just last week, the president of Ecuador signed a decree expanding the protected marine reserve by close to 45%.
The decree adds 60,000 square kilometers (about 23,000 square miles) to protected waters on the northwest corner of the archipelago and expands the total protected marine area from over 51,000 square miles to about 75,000 square miles — an area said to be more than 2 1/2 times the size of Maryland.
These waters serve as a migration route, described by ocean conservationists as a “marine superhighway" between the Galapagos Islands and islands in Costa Rica, Panama and Columbia, for a wide variety of marine animals, including sea turtles, stingrays, whales and hammerhead sharks. To protect those animals, half of the newly created reserve will be off-limits to any fishing activities; longline fishing, which often ensnares and harms turtles, dolphins and other marine life, will be prohibited in the other half. The waters will be patrolled by boats belonging to Galapagos National Park, with representatives of the Ecuadorian navy on board, the Economist reports.
The decree makes good on the commitment Ecuador’s president, Guillermo Lasso, made in November at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland. And during a shipboard decree signing in the Galapagos, the Ecuadorian president was joined by a variety of dignitaries ranging from Colombia’s president, Ivan Duque, and former U.S. President Bill Clinton to Bo Derek, a film actress who was named Ecuador’s tourism ambassador in June.
“There are places that have made a mark on the history of humanity and today we have the honor of being in one of those places,” Lasso said during the ceremony. “These islands that welcome us have taught us many things about ourselves. So, instead of acting as the absolute masters of these lands and seas, shouldn’t we act as their protectors?”
Marine animals, the environment and tourists will benefit
Galapagos National Park is already well protected. And any tour operator doing business there must follow very strict rules when it comes to sailing vessels in protected areas and offering guests the chance to get close to marine life through snorkeling or diving and by coastal explorations with dinghies, kayaks and glass-bottom boats.
“However, I’d say that ensuring better protection of the huge marine reserve and expanding it towards the Costa Rican reserve around Cocos Island will help the integrity of the marine species and the chances of their survival over the long-term,” said Paulina Burbano de Lara, CEO of Metropolitan Touring, which operates several small ships in the Galapagos, including the Santa Cruz II, with Hurtigruten Expeditions. “Protecting the riches of the archipelago is key to its long-term sustainability, and the future of the travel industry here.”
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.