Well-known author and journalist Carol Ann Bassett spoke about the destruction of the Galapagos Islands and read from her book “Galapagos at the Crossroads” to more than 50 people at the Memorial Union Tempe campus Monday.

The reading was hosted by of the School of Life Sciences, the Virginia G. Piper Center and the Superstition Review, a literary review out of the Polytechnic campus.

Bassett has studied the degrading condition of the Galapagos Islands, from the introduction of invasive species like goats and pigs to the poaching of lobsters. She described a scene where Australian snipers shot the goats from helicopters to stop them from destroying the natural ecosystem.

“The Galapagos are now endangered. The idea of being at the crossroads is, [are the island’s habitats] going down, going up, or staying the same?” Bassett said.

Bassett said that because of political corruption, a lack of education and invasive tourism, the island’s ecosystems are being destroyed.

“These aren’t naturalist tourists, these people go on island tours to be entertained,” she said. “Shark finners (people who cut off the fins of sharks and sell them) get a $400 fine and basically a slap on the wrists. They get to keep their boats.”

Bassett spent time interviewing Galapagos locals, scientists and pirates while on the islands.

“I just treat everyone the same, like human beings … [The pirate] wanted to meet in my house and I said no, so we met in a café,” she said. “He was very candid with me and even admitted to burning down the park offices.”

When asked about the possibilities of the Galapagos, Bassett said three major outcomes are possible.

“One outcome is that the situation could improve and that some species could be revived,” Bassett said, adding that this is very unlikely.

Another possibility is that the Galapagos would have small improvements but basically remain the same.

“They might open a few of the other islands and open a few ecolodges; no jet skis and no hang gliding,” she said.

The final possible outcome would be the “Hawaiianifcation” of the Galapagos, she said, referring to a population and tourism increase.

“Hawaii has lost 95 percent of its endemic species, while the Galapagos has retained 95 percent of its endemic species,” Bassett said.

Patricia Murphy, managing editor of Superstition Review said the groups solicited work from Bassett, which led to her speaking.

“She sent us a book chapter, and we were really taken by it. She uses description and narration in her writing, so it’s really accessible,” Murphy said.

History professor Paul Hirt called Bassett a great journalist and speaker.

“[She was the] best investigative environmental journalist that Arizona ever had,” Hirt said.

Conservation biology senior Caroline Appleton said Bassett’s opinions and her own differ.

“It was enlightening to hear her candid responses,” she said. “We almost talked past each other but that’s to be expected with the different approaches.”

Bassett said it might be dangerous for her to go back to the Galapagos because of the book.

“The political situation is corrupt,” she said. “I’ve heard of people being pushed off of boats in the middle of the night. I’m going to see how this plays out.”

Several people questioned why Bassett would release so much personal information in her book.

“Why not?” she said. “I do it to change the negative impact of human invasiveness. I am trying to keep the islands from going to hell.”

Reach the reporter at cjmcgann@asu.edu