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Preserving traditional fishing culture in Peru

September 18, 2017

Our first project in the nation of Peru is now complete. In the coastal town of La Islilla, a new Seacology-funded interpretive center is now open to the public, overlooking nearby Foca (Seal) Island.

Foca sits at the convergence of the Pacific’s warm tropical equatorial current and the cold Humboldt current, which fosters a unique habitat for 35 bird species, some of which only breed on Foca. In recent years, La Islilla’s fishermen have noticed their catches getting smaller as larger fishing boats from outside the area entered their waters. This overfishing also put pressure on the food supply for Foca Island’s bird populations, threatening the balance of the ecosystem.

Our project, launched last June and quickly implemented, will protect more than 24,000 acres on and around Foca Island. Only members of the local community, using low-impact artisanal methods, will be allowed to fish within the reserve’s boundaries. A combination of private and government patrols will enforce these restrictions. La Islilla’s new interpretive center will accommodate the growing ecotourism to the area and serve as a marketplace for local crafts. It will also help to employ local youth as guides and interpreters, educating hundreds of visitors each month about the area’s unique ecology.

Last month, several Seacology staff and board members and guests traveled to Peru to officially open the new center. We’ll be releasing a video recap of the trip in the coming weeks, so keep an eye on our social media and future issues of our newsletter.