| Günther Karl Albert Reck
Universidad San Francisco de Quito
PO Box17-12-841
Quito, Ecuador
Phone: 2894-782 ext. 425
email: gunter@usfq.edu.ec
Education
Ph.D., University of Kiel, Institute for Marine Science, Bremerhaven, Germany. Marine Science. Thesis on Coastal fisheries in the Galapagos Islands, 1984.
M.A., University of Kiel, Germany. Fisheries Biology/ Zoology, 1973.
University of Rennes, France: Biological Oceanography, Certificate in Biological Oceanography, 1969.
University of Freiburg/Breisgau. Biology, Zoology, Prediploma in Biology, 1968.
Employment Experience
| 1997- present |
Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador. Director, Institute of Applied Ecology, School of Life Sciences (former School of Environmental Science), Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador.
Founded Institute of Applied Ecology. Investigation and participative management projects in and around protected areas. Involved in projects related to resource management, community development, and resource based tourism in the Ecuadorian Highland, Ecuadorian Amazon, coastal ecosystems and the Galapagos. Training and workshop coordination and facilitation.
Teaching includes Conservation Biology, Marine Ecology and Resources, General Ecology, Protected Areas Management, Sustainable Development and Resource Management, Galapagos Ecology and Conservation. |
| 1990-1997 |
Founder and Dean, School of Environmental Science, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador. Contacted and hired faculty. Curriculum design and development, planning and general administration.
Taught General Environmental Science, Population Ecology, Marine Biology, and Ecotourism. Provided support as an "Integrated Expert" by the German Society of Technical Cooperation (GTZ), Germany. |
| 1984-1989 |
Director, Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS), Galapagos, Ecuador. Planning, coordination and supervision of terrestrial and marine ecological field research programs oriented towards the conservation and management of Galapagos ecosystems. Administrative and budgetary supervision and planning. Orientation and supervision of conservation education and training activities. Assistance to the Galapagos National Park Service and to other governmental entities in the planning and execution of regional development. Supervision of students from most Ecuadorian universities and of an extensive international volunteer students program. Provided support to hundreds of scientific parties using CDRS’s services. |
| 1981 |
Advisor to the Management, Instituto Nacional Galapagos, Quito and Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. (Institution affiliated with the Presidency for special regional management and development). Orientation and control of regional development programs and plans, taking into account aspects of resource management and conservation. Coordination with Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) and Galapagos National Park Service (GNPS). Coastal planning, plans for adequate development of artisanal fishery sector. Training of technical personal. |
| 1980-1981 |
Advisor, Undersecretariate for Fisheries' Resources, Ministry for Natural Resources, Guayaquil, Ecuador. Developed and proposed resource related fishery legislation; Promoted inclusion of Fisheries Administration into a group of authorities for supervision of the Convention for International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which helped to eliminate the exportation of sea turtle products; Regulation of the lobster fishery; Survey of shrimp fishery; Coordination with National Fishery Institute; Cooperation with Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS); Development of a joint research program on marine resources between the National Fisheries Institute (INP), the Charles Darwin Research Station, and the National Galapagos Institute (INGALA).
Substitute member of the INGALA Board of Directors for the Ministry of Natural Resources. "Integrated Expert" with support from the German Society for Technical Cooperation (GTZ). |
| 1975-1979 |
Consultant and Research Scientist, Undersecretariate of Fisheries' Resources and National Fisheries' Institute, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, Ecuador. Served as the integrated expert with additional support from the German Society for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) through the Committee for International Migration (CIM). Planning, preparation and execution of a research project on small-scale coastal fishery in the Galapagos, in cooperation with the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) and the University of Guayaquil. Training of graduate students in Fisheries Biology research while maintaining close contact with the fishing community. Voluntary supervision of marine activities of CDRS; training of park wardens, guides and interpreters; participation in activities of public information and environmental education for CDRS. Material from this research was used for my Ph.D. thesis at the University of Kiel, Germany. |
| 1973-1974 |
Naturalist guide and lecturer, Metropolitan Touring, Galapagos, Ecuador. Conferences and guiding in four languages (English, German, French and Spanish). Control of the observation of National Park rules; Cooperation with park administration in the definition and interpretation of visitor trails; Cooperation in scientific monitoring of sea-bird populations. |
Related Experience
Other teaching experience and participation in Academic Activities and Events
| 2001 |
Institute of Applied Ecology (ECOLAP) carried out the second preparatory course for local Galapagos guide candidates with great success in San Cristobal. I coordinated the course and taught several modules. |
| 2000 |
Served as the Co-Coordinator of the International Symposium on Marine Modeling with the Ecopath model, “Placing fisheries in their ecosystem context.” Worked together with the Fisheries Center in Vancouver, and the North Sea Center in Copenhagen, Denmark; sponsored by the European Community. Symposium carried out in Santa Cruz, Galapagos, in cooperation with the Charles Darwin Research Station. |
| 2000 |
Coordinated and conducted a 22-day summer course on Ecuadorian Ecology for Washington College. This was the third course of its type. |
| 1999 |
Santa Cruz, Galapagos. As the Director of the Institute of Applied Technology (ECOLAP), I conceived and organized the first privately managed preparatory college-level course for naturalist guides during four weeks, under contract with Galapagos National Park. |
| 1999 |
Santa Cruz, Galapagos. World Wide Fund for Nature. International Workshop on “Priorities for Galapagos Biodiversity Conservation, within their Ecoregional Program.” Invited participant for the marine biodiversity working group. |
| 1998-1999 |
Quito and Galapagos, Ecuador. The North Sea Center, Fisheries Center Vancouver, and the European Community sponsored an Ecopath Project for modeling trophic relations in tropical marine ecosystems for fisheries resource conservation in 31 countries. I was the counterpart for Ecuador and the local coordinator for the International Ecopath Symposium carried out in 2000 in the Galapagos. |
| 1975-1999 |
Galapagos, Ecuador. National Park Service, Charles Darwin Research Station. Gave lectures and seminars for students of the Natural Sciences, tour guides, park interpreters and wardens in training courses. Presented on topics such as marine ecology, marine fisheries, oceanography, climatology, tourism, protected areas, conservation and development. |
| 1998 |
Lisbon. European Commission. Symposium on Marine Foodwebs and Productivity. Invited speaker on Marine Protected Areas, regional experience.
1991-1997 Quito, Guayaquil, and Galapagos, Ecuador. Charles Darwin Foundation. Gave several lectures on conservation, marine resources and other topics during seminars for the media and general public. |
| 1996,1997 |
Chestertown, Maryland. Washington College. Invited guest lecturer about the Galapagos, “World Heritage in Danger?” |
| 1996 |
Havana, Cuba. UNESCO, Regional Office. Participated as an invited speaker in the International Workshop on Cultural Tourism, with a conference on the Nature Tourism Model in relation to the regional development of cultural tourism. |
| 1996 |
Valdivia, Chile. German Academic Exchange Agency (DAAD), Commission on International Migration (CIM), German Society for Technical Cooperation (GTZ). Universidad Austral de Chile. Invited participant in a symposium on the role of universities in Latin-American social development. |
| 1996 |
Varadero, Cuba. Congreso Naturamigos. Conference on touristic development and nature conservation, based on the Galapagos example. |
| 1995 |
Frankfurt, Germany. Palmengarten Frankfurt/ Deutsch-Lateinamerikanische Gesellschaft. Lectured on problems of marine conservation in the Galapagos in the context of the Galapagos exhibit at Palmgarten. |
| 1994 |
Bremen, Germany. Institut für Marine Tropenökologie. Colloquium talk on marine conservation. |
| 1992 |
Quito, Ecuador. Ecociencia and Wildlife Conservation International. Symposium on biodiversity in Ecuador. Presented a paper on Marine Resource Management. |
| 1992 |
Quito, Ecuador. Fecodes and the Smithsonian Institution. International Seminar on Tourism Planning in Protected Areas. Presented a lecture on the subject of tourism-related academic training. |
| 1992- 1994 |
Frankfurt, Germany. Seeheim Germany. AG Lateinamerika (German Latin-America Tour Operators). Training Seminars for Tour Operators. Gave lectures on Ecuador, Ecotourism, the Galapagos and conservation. |
| 1992 |
Toronto, Canada. United Nations Environmental Program. ECO-ED Congress (Environmental Communication and Education). Invited speaker in the symposium “Nature Tourism and Sustainable Development in the Galapagos.” |
| 1992 |
Quito, Ecuador. The Nature Conservancy: “Parks in Peril” Program. Latin-American Seminar for managers of Protected Areas. Invited lecturer on "Ecotourism and Carrying Capacity in Protected Areas." |
| 1991 |
Ibarra, Ecuador. Corporación Latinoamericana de Desarrollo and the World Bank. Seminar for political and economic leaders. Invited lecturer on "Global Environmental Problems." |
| 1989 |
Quito. Ecuadorian Foundation for the Promotion of Tourism (FEPROTUR). First national seminar on nature-oriented tourism. Invited lecturer on "Science and Tourism." |
| 1988 |
Chubut Province, Argentina. Fundación Patagonia and the Interamerican Institute of Tourism. International Seminar on Tourism and Natural Areas. Invited lecturer on “Tourism management in natural areas” and “Carrying capacity in natural areas and nature reserves.” |
| 1988 |
Galapagos, Ecuador. Charles Darwin Foundation, Tinker Foundation, University of New Mexico. Conceived and organized the International Workshop on Reptile Conservation and Management. |
| 1984-1988 |
National Fisheries Institute/University of Guayaquil, Charles Darwin |
| 1976-1980 |
Research Station, Ecuador. Director of the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS). Taught and trained graduate students at CDRS in the Galapagos. |
| 1987 |
Galapagos, Ecuador. Charles Darwin Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Missouri Botanical Garden. Conceived and organized the International Workshop on Botany and Vegetation management.
1981 Guayaquil, Ecuador. University of Guayaquil, Faculty of Natural Sciencies. Taught a three-month course on fisheries biology (60 hours) |
Professional Organizations
- IUCN World Commission for Protected Areas
- Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos (General Assembly)
- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Meereskunde
- Ecuadorian Association for Ecotourism, Founding Board Member
Key experience
- Marine resources research, management and conservation
- Fisheries policies, administration, planning and legislation
- Planning of marine protected areas
- Conservation of endangered species and management of protected areas
- Research and terrestrial/coastal conservation management, planning, coordination and education
- Nature tourism with community involvement
- Training and education, teaching (Ecology and Resource Management)
Consulting and Advisory activities
| 2001-present |
Galapagos and Quito, Ecuador. Charles Darwin Foundation: Technical Advisor to the Marine Science Department of the Charles Darwin Research Station on a backstopping basis. Participation in Marine Authority meetings. Evaluation of documents, fisheries calendar proposals, negotiations with the fishing sector. |
| 1999-2001 |
Machalilla National Park, Machalilla, Ecuador. Fundacion Natura. Under my supervision, the Institute of Applied Ecology (ECOLAP) prepared a carrying capacity study for Isla de la Plata, Machalilla National Park. This included new concepts for the Ecuadorian mainland on Visitor Impact Management in Protected Areas, and cooperation with key stakeholders, such as guides and operators. |
| 1999-2001 |
Quito, Guayaquil, Ecuadorian coast. Ecociencia Biodiversity Project. Supervised joint ECOLAP-ECOCIENCIA project for Rapid Assessment of critical areas for marine biodiversity conservation. Speaker and moderator in a related workshop. |
| 1999 |
Quito, Ecuador. United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Evaluation of Consulting Firms to assess a large Global Environmental Facility (GEF)-project to improve biodiversity conservation through strengthening the Ecuadorian Protected Area system. |
| 1999 |
Puyo, Pastaza Province, Ecuadorian Amazon. German Society for Technical Communication (GTZ). Provided support for the indigenous foundation Yawa Jee to execute their GTZ-project on Ecotourism and Protected Forest management. At the same time, supervised ECOLAP’s coordination for the development of four community management plans, on a participative basis together with community leaders. |
| 1998 – 1999 |
February. Quito, Ecuador. UNDP – GEF INEFAN (National Forestry Institute). ECOLAP Project to develop a National Wildlife Conservation and Sustainable Use Strategy. Participated in project acquisition, negotiations, conceptual framework and national policy segments. Later I was contracted to propose policies for wildlife use and marine biodiversity for the Ecuadorian Biodiversity Law project. |
| 1998 |
Quito, Ecuador. Ministry of the Environment and the Charles Darwin Foundation. Evaluation of the Galapagos Marine Reserve Management Plan. |
| 1998 |
Quito, Ecuador. Interamerican Development Bank (IDB). Advisory project to support the Marine Management Plan process in the Galapagos. |
| 1998 |
Ecuadorian Association of Fish Exporters. Participated in a nationwide seminar on Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Consultations about fisheries bycatch issues to place Ecuador in the international discussion. |
| 1998 |
Quito, Ecuador. United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Ministry of the Environment, Charles Darwin Foundation. Biodiversity Expert-Consultant for the preparation of the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) project on “Biodiversity conservation in the Galapagos through control and eradication of introduced species.” |
| 1998 |
Puyo, Pastaza Province, Ecuadorian Amazon. German Society for Technical Cooperation (GTZ). Short evaluation of a project to study the application of “Biodiversity Convention through Ecotourism,” carried out by a Foundation of indigenous communities in the Ecuadorian Amazon (Yawa Jee Foundation). |
| 1997 |
Ecuador. United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Galapagos Advisor to the Minister of the Environment. Coordinated the process of creating the Special Galapagos Law. Accompanied participative process on the Marine Management Plan, coordinated with the Interamerican Development Bank and other national and international GO’s and NGO’s. |
| 1996 |
Galapagos, Ecuador. UNESCO/ German Embassy, Quito. International expert in the evaluation of the fisheries situation in the Galapagos for the Commission of the World Heritage Convention, in conjunction with the convention Chair and Executive Director. |
| 1996 |
Guayaquil and Galapagos, Ecuador. Comisión Permanente de Galapagos, with support from the Interamerican Development Bank and the Charles Darwin Foundation. Facilitator of a preparatory workshop in Guayaquil and of the final workshop in the Galapagos on sustainable development and law proposals, concerning the Marine Reserve and Fisheries. Preparation of the Presidential Decree on Marine Conservation. |
| 1995 |
Quito, Ecuador. Fundación Natura / Global Environmental Facility (GEF)/ United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Project. Conducted workshops on the establishment of policies for tourism in protected areas in Ecuador. |
| 1994 |
Esmeraldas Province and Quito, Ecuador. GOPA/German Society for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) Project PRAPESCA. Project for the development of artisanal fisheries in Esmeraldas Province; consulting on mangrove and coastal resources conservation within the project. |
| 1994 |
Quito, Guayaquil and Galapagos, Ecuador. Comisión Asesora Ambiental/Comisión Permanente Galápagos/ United Nations Development Bank. Coordinated and facilitated a series of small preparatory workshops and one final workshop in the Galapagos about the Marine Reserve. Reviewed the management plan with participation of local and national authorities, and representatives of all stakeholders (fisheries, tourism and conservation). |
| 1993-1994 |
Quito, Guayaquil, Manglares-Cchurute, Ecuador. Fundación Natura and National Forestry Institute, Ministry of Agriculture. Supervision of a contract with USFQ’s Ecological Institute to develop a Management Plan for Ecological Reserve Manglares-Churute, coastal protected area with mangroves in Guayas Province, Ecuador. |
| 1993 |
Quito, Galapagos. IUCN (World Conservation Union, Gland, Switzerland). Member of a group of International Consultants. Evaluated the fishery of sea cucumbers in the Galapagos Islands and made recommendations to the Ecuadorian government. |
| 1992 |
Quito, Guayaquil and Galapagos, Ecuador. Comisión Permanente para Galapagos and the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF). Coordinator of the subcommittee (with support from the Universidad San Francisco de Quito) which reviewed and finalized the Management Plan for the Marine Reserve in the Galapagos Islands. This Plan was approved by presidential decree in August 1992. |
| 1991 |
Cuyabeno Faunistic Reserve, Ecuadorian Amazon and Quito, Ecuador. German Society for Techincal Cooperation (GTZ). Project Evaluation for the technical cooperation and support for the Cuyabeno Reserve in the Ecuadorian Amazon. |
| 1989 |
Galapagos Islands and mainland Ecuador. Alfred-Wegener Institut für Polarund Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven, Germany. Local coordinator and organizer of the International Workshop on the “Near-Coastal Ecological Impacts of ‘El Niño’ events and their monitoring.” |
| 1989 |
Guayas Province, Ecuador. Rogge Marine Consulting, Bremerhaven, Germany. Evaluation for the German Agro-Action of “Project of Artisanal Fishery Development in San Pedro and Valdivia, Ecuador, Guayas Province.” |
| 1982 |
Galapagos, Ecuador. World Wildlife Fund International (WWF), Gland, Switzerland. Leader of an international team to review and evaluate WWF- sponsored projects in the Galapagos since 1965. |
| 1980-1981 |
Guayaquil and Quito, Ecuador. Fundacion Natura / US-A.I.D. General evaluation of environmental conditions in Ecuador. Analysis of fisheries and coastal resources. |
Publications
Reck, G.Y. and R.H. Bustamante. 2002. “Placing Fisheries in Their Ecosystem Context: A Challenge For The Galapagos,” In: Christensen, V, G. Reck, J.L. McLean (eds.) 2002. Proceedings of the INCO-DC Conference Placing Fisheries In Their Ecosystem Context. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.4-8 December 2000. ACP-EU Fish.Res.Rep.,(12):79 pp.
Okey, T. A., S. Banks, R. Bustamante, M. Calvopiña, G. Edgar, J. M. Fariña, L. E. Garske, G.K.Reck, S. Salazar, S. Shepherd, P. Wallem, A.F. Born, and E. Espinosa. 2002. “A balanced trophic model of a Galapagos subtidal rocky reef for evaluating zone-based fisheries and conservation policies.” Summary in: Christensen, V, G. Reck, J.L. McLean (eds.) 2002. Proceedings of the INCO-DC Conference Placing Fisheries In Their Ecosystem Context. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.4-8 December 2000. ACP-EU Fish.Res.Rep.,(12):79 pp.
Okey, T. A., S. Banks, R. Bustamante, M. Calvopiña, G. Edgar, J. M. Fariña, L. E. Garske, G.K.Reck, S. Salazar, S. Shepherd, P. Wallem, A.F. Born, and E. Espinosa. 2002. A balanced trophic model of a Galapagos subtidal rocky reef for evaluating zone-based fisheries and conservation policies. Submitted for publication.
Bustamante R.H., Reck G.K., Ruttenberg B.J. and Polovina, J. 2000. “The Galapagos Spiny Lobsters Fishery,” Spiny Lobsters Fisheries and Culture, 2nd ed. Fishing News Books, pp. 210–220.
Reck, G. 1996. “Metodología para la Identificación de Actores Sociales, Manejo de Conflictos e Identificación de Actitudes, Valores e Intereses de los Actores Relacionados con el Manejo de las Areas Protegidas.” Instrumentos Metodológicos. Fundación Natura - GEF/INEFAN
Ceballos-Lascuraín, H., Reck, G. and Troya, R. 1996. Propuestas de Políticas de Turismo en las Áreas Naturales Protegidas del País. Proyecto INEFAN/GEF. Proyecto Plan Maestro para la Protección de la Biodiversidad. 320 pp.
Reck, G. 1996. “Perspectivas para el Desarrollo del Turismo en el Ecuador,” pp. 72-88 in Correa, R. El Reto del Desarrollo. ¿ Estamos preparados para el futuro? 215 pp., USFQ, Quito.
Reck, G. 1993. “Investigación y Manejo de Recursos Marinos,” in: Mena, P.A. y Suarez, L. (eds.) La Investigación para la Conservación de la Diversidad Biológica en el Ecuador. Ecociencia, Quito.
Reck, G. 1991. “Ecología y Religión” in: V. Serrano (ed.) Teología de la Religión. CEDECO- Abya Yala, Quito: 109-125.
Lawesson, J., Hamann., Reck, G., and Ochoa, H. (ed.) 1987. “Botanical Research and Management in Galapagos. Memories of a Workshop held in Galapagos.” Missouri Botanical Garden.
Reck, G. 1986. “Relaciones biogeográficas y distribución de algunas especies marinas de interés comercial en las islas Galapagos.” Actas del Coloquio Ecuador 1986, Revista Cultura, Banco Central del Ecuador, Vol VIII, 24 a, 241-255.
Reck, G. 1985. “Galapagos en el ambito científico, educativo nacional y mundial,” Bol. Sinicyt, Cons. Nac. de Cienc. y Tecn., Quito, Ecuador IV,1-2, 20 - 24.
Reck, G. 1984. “La pesca de langostas en las Islas Galápagos,1974-1979,” Bol. Cient. Técn., Instituto Nacional de Pesca, Guayaquil, Ecuador, VI, 3, 49-77.
Reck, G. 1984. The coastal fisheries in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador: description and consequences for management in the context of marine environmental protection and regional development. Doctoral thesis, Kiel, Bremerhaven, 231 pp.
Reck, G. 1981. “Recursos pesqueros y costeros,” in: Fundación Natura (eds.) Diagnóstico sobre la situación del medio ambiente en el Ecuador. Vol.II, Cap.VII, 121 pp.
Reports
- Administrative Report. Annual Report 1984/85. Charles Darwin Research Station, Galapagos, Ecuador.
- Administrative Report. Annual Report 1986/87. Charles Darwin Research Station, Galapagos, Ecuador.
- Report of the Director of the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) to the Executive Council of the Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Isles. 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989.
- Project Report in World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Conservation Yearbook 1983/1984 on: Evaluation of WWF/IUCN Activities in the Galapagos (Project 3097).
- Project Reports in WWF Conservation Yearbook 1985/1986 on: Operation of CDRS (WWF -Project 1316); Reconstruction of CDRS-Headquarters (Project 3195); Review of Endangered Reptiles (3623 ), Emergency Actions after 1985 Brush Fire on Isabela Island (3655)
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