More than 20 fishing communities are committed to marine sustainability

Posted on 18 October 2018

Between August and October, the Festimar went across all the coastal regions of Peru, involving thousands of Peruvians

Between August and October, the Festimar went across all the coastal regions of Peru, involving thousands of Peruvians.
Endorsed by authorities, associations and schools, the initiative has become the largest celebration for the Peruvian sea.

Ilo, Moquegua. The Festimar 2018, which has revealed itself to be the greatest celebration for the sustainability of the Peruvian sea, came to an end last October 5th. The third edition of the festival became a milestone as for the first time it went through more than 20 communities in 10 regions and involved the participation of more than 4 thousand children and adults.

“The festival became an important platform to carry environmental education further schools”, said Julia Maturrano from WWF Peru.

The purpose of the Festimar is to make people know the richness of the Peruvian sea, which is considered the most productive in the world, but also the threats it faces and, above all, the commitments that authorities, companies, fishermen and citizens must take on for its care. Overfishing, pollution and bycatch of endangered species, like dolphins and sea turtles, are some of the major issues that the Peruvian sea is facing, and it is what the festival aims to promote awareness of.

Since the festival was first launched in a few ports and small bays in 2016, it has raised so much enthusiasm that it got to growing and involving authorities, associations, companies, so that almost the totality of the coast has been gone through. “We doubled the number of organizations involved and engage people of all ages to have a greater impact across coastal communities”, said WWF’s specialist.

The festival for the conservation of the sea and its species went through about 3,000 kilometers from Tumbes to Tacna, carrying out educational activities, trainings and talks on our sea, its risks and ways care for it. Endorsed by WWF and the national parks service SERNANP, the initiative also had the active support of the ministries of production and environment and over 50 public and private organizations, along the coast.

Yawar / WWF Perú