This study is an in-depth analyis of the Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR) management system and the socio-political relations between the stakeholders who shape it and determine the mechanisms of access and controlover its resources. The management problem of the Galapagos Marine Reserve was manifested through the narrative of over-fishing, illegal fishing and conflicts between users. Failure of the eco-centric approach has called for participatory approach and the policy of diversificatio of economic opportunities for fishers. This thesis focuses on this shift in management and gives two examples of alternatives to fishing. The theme was approached by means of qualitative interview research targeting the main actors: reseárchers, conservationists, tour operators and local artisanal fishers. We sought to characterize conservation politics of the Galapagos by accounting for positions of all the stakeholders of GMR. By applying the theoretical framework of New Institutional Economics, Actor Oriented Approach and Critical Discourse Analysis we have produced our scientific discourse of the GMR management system, the mechanisms of resource distribution and their implications for sustainability of the GMR management