Communities strengthen effective response to whale entanglements in northern Peru’s Marine and Coastal Areas
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In northern Peru, local response brigades, tourism operators, and government authorities have strengthened their capacities to act safely and in a coordinated manner when whale entanglements occur, contributing to the conservation of these species and the marine ecosystems they inhabit.
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According to Peru’s Marine Research Institute (IMARPE), 21% of whale strandings recorded in Peru between 1997 and 2024 were linked to entanglements in fishing gear.
The ocean may seem vast until a whale becomes trapped. What once felt distant suddenly becomes urgent: a fishing net, rope, or buoy can restrict a whale’s movement, compromise its health, and trigger a chain of decisions that leaves no room for improvisation.
With this in mind, the Whale Reporting and Disentanglement Workshop was held in Los Órganos, Piura, from May 19–20. Over two days, local brigades from three coastal communities, tourism operators, specialists, and representatives from public institutions strengthened their skills to properly report and safely respond to whale entanglement incidents in one of Peru’s most biodiverse marine and coastal regions.
© WWF-Peru
The interaction between large whales and fishing gear represents one of the main threats to the conservation of these species. It also has significant impacts on artisanal fisheries due to damage to fishing equipment and disruptions to fishing activities, resulting in considerable socioeconomic consequences for coastal communities. In Peru, many of these incidents go officially unreported, making it difficult to understand the true scale of the problem and develop effective prevention strategies.
To address this challenge, the workshop combined theoretical and practical sessions focused on reporting procedures, disentanglement protocols, logbook documentation, the use of specialized equipment, and response simulations. One key message stood out clearly: people should never attempt to intervene directly when encountering an entangled whale. Instead, they should maintain a safe distance and immediately report the incident to IMARPE, providing location details, visual evidence, and other relevant information to help assess the situation.
“Coastal communities are the eyes and ears of the ocean. Their ability to identify and promptly report entanglement incidents can make a significant difference in whale conservation. This workshop demonstrates that conservation is most effective when technical knowledge is combined with local experience, commitment, and the deep connection that communities maintain with the sea. Disentanglement does not begin when a response team arrives on site; it begins with a timely and responsible report. To protect, we must first understand, and to act effectively, we must be prepared”, said Piero Uceda, Associate Officer for Connectivity Conservation Mechanisms at WWF Peru.
© WWF-Peru
For Sandra García, specialist at the Tropical Grau National Marine Reserve (SERNANP), these efforts highlight the importance of coordinated action between communities and institutions. “When everyone works together and the community is involved—from the initial report through to the successful disentanglement—it is incredibly rewarding”, she said. She also emphasized the need to preserve safe habitats for these migratory species: “These animals do not recognize boundaries; our responsibility is to provide and conserve the space they need to thrive”.
“This workshop demonstrates that when government institutions, international cooperation partners, and local communities work together, marine conservation becomes both possible and effective. Training local response brigades not only contributes to whale protection but also enhances the safety of those who work at sea every day”, said Mariella Scarpati, Technical Coordinator of Save the Blue Five in Peru.
© WWF-Peru
Specialists emphasized that attempting to free a whale without proper training poses a serious risk to both people and the animal. A stressed whale can make sudden, powerful movements that may cause accidents and worsen the entanglement. In addition, when fishing gear remains attached for days or weeks, whales can suffer deep wounds, infections, exhaustion, and even a slow death due to difficulties feeding or swimming.
The progress achieved is the result of the commitment and collaboration of communities, public institutions, civil society organizations, and strategic partners, demonstrating that conservation is most effective when built collectively. Every person trained, every timely report, and every coordinated effort represents another step toward a safer ocean for whales and for the generations that depend on it.
© WWF-Peru
