One of the most important phenomena that occurs in Galapagos is the conflict of interests between the conservation groups that defend the ecology and the inhabitants that search for profitable activities. The major conflict is generally between the National Park authorities and the fishing cooperatives.

The sea around Galapagos nourishes an extraordinary resource in marine life such as turtles, sharks, dolphins, and dozens of high-priced commercial fish, including exotic species such as sea cucumber (pepino de mar).

Sea cucumber fishing is the most important economic activity in the archipelago. To minimize the impact of this activity on the oceanic environment, the Galapagos National Park Service regulates the fishing, by setting time frames for extraction and limits on quantities. Commercial sea cucumber fishing in Galapagos started about 10 years ago. The main market is Japan. Japanese people say that sea cucumber has very strong aphrodisiac properties. This is something that hasn't been proved scientifically. It's the same situation as the rhino horn that has taken that African species to the borders of extinction. The same thing is starting to happen with sea cucumbers.

In many parts of the world, the extraction of sea cucumber is not profitable anymore, because of over fishing. Sea cucumbers concentrate in certain specific spots in the Galapagos archipelago. During the open sea cucumber fishing period, you can see dozens of small and medium boats taking as many sea cucumbers as they can.

The sea cucumber is a marine organism with almost no capabilities of movement. It lies on the bottom of the sea. It looks like a 5-inch (12cm) fat sausage and is dark brown or black. Sea cucumbers feed on the nutrients that are contained in the mud at the bottom of the sea. This sea cucumber is very important for the equilibrium in the food chain of this unique environment.

The National Park Service claims that everything is under control, but the truth is that the situation is absolutely out of control. The National Park has given all permits in favor of the interests of the sea cucumber fishermen.