Beneath the giant tortoise that adorns the logo of the Galapagos National Park Service swims a hammerhead shark, a species that should be top of pecking order in the Galapagos Marine Reserve.

Unfortunately, humans have taken on that role and in spite of the protection afforded the marine world by the reserve, illegal fishing continues. According to a report just published by the Galapagos Conservation Trust, there has been an increase in the number of shark fins (that’s all they keep) confiscated by the Park Service: in 1996, they seized 556 but over the last five years have averaged around 2500. Some 10% of these are hammerheads.

Find out more about the GCT’s shark research programme and make a donation to help save the Galapagos sharks.