Stopping Migration through Policy Interventions: Example from the Galapagos

1
Stopping Migration through Policy Interventions
Example from the Galapagos

• Jason Bremner
• Carolina Population Center
• University of North Carolina

2
Outline

• Set the Context of Migration
• Describe the Special Law of the Galapagos
• Assess Post-policy Migration
• Suggest Obstacles to Implementation of the
  migration policy

3
PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM
4
GALAPAGOS MARINE RESERVE
GALAPAGOS NATIONAL PARK
5
(No Transcript)
6
(No Transcript)
7
(No Transcript)
8
(No Transcript)
9
Total Population and Annual Growth Rates in
Galapagos 1982-1998
Sources INEC, National Censuses of 1982, 1990
and Galapagos Census 1998 a. Does not exclude
tourists or non-permanent residents b. Excludes
tourists and non-permanent residents
10
(No Transcript)
11
Ecological Impacts

• Several impacts are commonly associated with
  population growth and migration
• Over exploitation of marine resources
• Arrival of new and more intensive resource use
  practices
• Growing population unfamiliar with the
  conservation history of the Galapagos
• Introduction of aggressive plant and animal
  species

12
Public Opinion Surveys
Source Galapagos Report Fundación Natura and WWF
(1998)
13
The Special Law for Galapagos

• Approved in March 1998
• Established the Marine Reserve as a protected
  area.
• Created a policy basis for migration control
• Prioritized the control of introduced species by
  an Inspection and Quarantine System

14
Migration Policy

• Establishes three residency categories
• Permanent Residents
• Birth in Galapagos, residency for five years
  prior to 1998 and marriage.
• Permanent residents are eligible for any job in
  Galapagos
• Temporary Residents
• Employers apply for temporary residency permits
  to fill positions that require special skills not
  available among permanent residents.
• Spouses and children of temporary residents are
  granted temporary residence.
• Permits can be renewed indefinitely.
• Tourists and Transients- limited to 90 day stay
  and may not work.

15
Implementation

• The Special Law of 1998 did not establish the
  means of implementation.
• By 2000 the regulations were passed
• Complex network of institutions are responsible
  for implementation
• INGALA residency cards and work permits
• National Park- tourist entry
• Police and Armed Forces- deportation
• Consultants for Technology and Monitoring Systems

16
1
Source INEC Census 2001
17
Source INEC 2001 Census
18
Growth in number of Fishermen

• Year Total Registered Fishers
• 1993 392
• 1996 496
• 1997 457
• 1999 613
• 2000 682
• 2001 921
• 2002 956
• Source Bremner and Perez (2002), Kerr et al.
  (2004)

19
Obstacles to Implementation (1)

• Limited institutional capacity
• Fraudulent residency permits
• Difficulty tracking tourists, transients, and
  temporary residents
• Little political will to deport violators
• Reports of clandestine entry
• Favoritism and administrative corruption

20
Obstacles to Implementation (2)

• Several subsidies reduce the cost of living in
  the Galapagos and contribute to the
  attractiveness for new migrants.
• Travel 50 cost of travel for residents
• Fossil fuel- cost of transport of fuel to
  Galapagos is assumed by the state.
• Electricity
• Public Services

21
Obstacles to Implementation (3)

• Conflicting public opinion regarding law
• Importance of social networks
• Perceptions regarding labor availability in the
  Galapagos.
• Many recognize the need for legal changes but
  caution is necessary with any amendments to the
  special law.

22
Conclusions

• External validity of the Galapagos
• Migration policies depend highly upon the
  capacity of implementing institutions.
• Public opinion as well as social networks may
  play an important role in the effectiveness of
  migration policies.
• Effective migration policies may have unexpected
  impacts. (Kerr et al. 2004)