On Thursday 9 October we gathered at 1 Wimpole Street for Galapagos Day, our biggest event of the year.
Communications Manager (Paternity Cover)
We were thrilled to be joined by so many of our members, supporters and partners, along with many new faces. Our theme this year was ‘The Truth About Sharks’, and we met the scientists, filmmakers and policymakers advocating for the protection of sharks and all marine life using cutting-edge technology and film to highlight the challenges facing sharks and the groundbreaking ways we can save them.
Our programme of talks began with a video and some music that needed no introduction. The Jaws themetune still fills many with fear and dread, but our message on the night was clear: there is a species to fear in our oceans, but it isn’t sharks…it’s us.
Our moderator for the event was GCT Trustee, Dr Sally Uren (OBE), who once again charmed us all with her enthusiasm and optimism.
We started with an introduction from Charmian Cains, GCT’s Chair of the Board of Trustees, who extended a warm welcome to our audience and speakers.
Charmian then introduced His Excellency Mr Luis Vayas Valdivieso, the Ambassador of Ecuador to the United Kingdom, who shared with our audience the exciting news that the Ecuadorian government, in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), has secured World Heritage Status for the Hermandad Reserve, which provides 60,000 km² of protected waters to many marine species including migratory sharks like the whale shark.
Sally then introduced our first keynote speaker of the night, Colin Butfield, co-founder and director of the Open Planet Studios and director of the National Geographic feature documentary David Attenborough: Ocean. With help from some of his incredible footage from David Attenborough: Ocean, Colin showed our audience just how complex and interconnected life under the waves is, and the positive impact film and the media can have on highlighting conservation challenges and empowering people to make a difference.
While sharks may appear scary to some, the majority of shark species pose no threat to humans, and we ignore their vital role in our marine ecosystems at our peril.
Our second keynote speaker of the night was Jonathan Green, founder and director of the Galapagos Whale Shark Project, a project that GCT has supported for over a decade. Jonathan took our audience on a deep dive into the world of shark science, wowing us with the incredible research his team are doing to uncover the mysteries of the majestic whale shark. From taking blood samples to ultrasounds, all whilst swimming alongside these gentle giants, we were amazed by the incredible lengths scientists are going to, to protect sharks.
Jonathan was then joined onstage by Dr Jen Jones, Chief Executive at Galapagos Conservation Trust and Amy Hammond, Fisheries and Habitats Campaign Lead at Oceana UK, for a panel discussion moderated by Sally.
Together, they shared what makes them hopeful for the future of sharks and ocean conservation, with Amy highlighting the power of people to bring about policy changes, including calling for an end to destructive fishing practices, and Jen sharing that her hope comes from the Gills Club, which connects young girls living in Galapagos to the ocean and the marine species living alongside them.
GCT has been supporting Jonathan Green and his team with tracking whale sharks across Galapagos and the Eastern Pacific for over a decade.
During the event, we shared the news that the High Seas Treaty, also known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty, has met the required 60 ratifications for entry into force.
This landmark treaty will allow marine protected areas to be created in international waters. This is a huge win for sharks and other migratory marine species, as currently, just 1% of the High Seas are properly protected.
Along with the talks, we enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with old friends and build new connections – such an important part of events like Galapagos Day.
Other highlights included an exhibition of the winners from our most recent Galapagos Photography Competition and a photography exhibition by Maya Arkane, which brought the life and culture of the galapagueños people to our event, showcasing the work they are doing to protect their Islands.
Thank you to everyone who joined us this year at Galapagos Day, including our corporate partners, Mundy Adventures and Lindblad Expeditions (our event sponsors), and of course, our wonderful volunteers who helped the event run so smoothly; we thought it was one of the best. And for those who weren’t able to attend this time – see you in 2026!
Support the conservation of sharks in the Galapagos Marine Reserve by recording the species you see during your dives and logging them on the Shark Count app.
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