Atico fishers remove 2 tons of waste and strengthen marine conservation
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The award ceremony was attended by representatives from the Atico District Municipality, the Mollendo Port Authority, and SPAEMPA (Union of Fishers and Shellfish Harvesters of the Port of Atico).
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According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), around 11 million tons of plastic waste enter the ocean every year, making marine pollution one of the main threats to ocean biodiversity and further worsening the global climate crisis.
According to the study Plastic Waste in the Marine Environment (2016), nearly 80% of the plastic waste reaching the ocean comes from land-based sources, while the remaining 20% is linked to fishing activities. In response to this challenge, local initiatives focused on improving waste management are essential to reducing pollution and protecting marine biodiversity.
In this context, the “Fishers Recycling Campaign” award ceremony was successfully held in Atico’s main square. The initiative, led by WWF Peru, promotes the proper management of waste generated during artisanal fishing activities.
The event recognized the efforts of 50 artisanal fishing vessels, involving approximately 200 fishers, who committed to bringing back to port the waste generated during their fishing operations.
© WWF-Peru
Thanks to this collective effort, around 2 tons of solid waste were collected between November 2025 and April 2026, preventing these materials from polluting the ocean and harming marine species.
This work is part of a broader awareness-raising and environmental education process carried out alongside fishers from the Atico Artisanal Fishing Landing (DPA). The photographs, videos, and other evidence collected demonstrate that their commitment goes beyond caring for their own community, also reflecting responsible practices during their fishing operations and upon returning from other ports. In addition, the monitoring and follow-up of these actions have been made possible thanks to the continued commitment of the DPA administration and the local stakeholders involved.
“This initiative represents an important contribution to reducing marine pollution and demonstrates how coordinated efforts between fishers, local authorities, and organizations can generate positive impacts for the conservation of marine ecosystems”, said Julia Maturrano, Clean Oceans Officer at WWF Peru.
During the ceremony, Atico District Mayor Julio Candia Ramos highlighted the commitment shown by the local fishing community and emphasized that fishing is one of the main sources of income for families in Atico. Therefore, preserving the health of marine ecosystems also means protecting the district’s well-being and development.
© WWF-Peru
The “Fishers Recycling Campaign” shows that sustained small actions can generate major results. Through initiatives like this, Atico reaffirms that caring for the ocean is a shared responsibility and a key step toward ensuring cleaner oceans for future generations.
© WWF-Peru
