Peru strengthens national efforts for whale conservation and the protection of the Pacific Blue Corridor
To strengthen collaboration among key stakeholders and promote coordinated action for whale conservation in Peru, the event “Blue Corridor: National Efforts for Whale Conservation” brought together representatives from government agencies, the scientific community, international cooperation organizations, the private sector, and marine conservation groups.
During the event, Mariella Scarpati, Technical Coordinator in Peru for the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) project Save the Blue Five, presented progress made under the regional initiative and highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen the conservation of iconic marine species across the region.
© WWF-Peru
As part of the program, participants learned about the findings of Peru’s first-ever satellite whale tagging campaign. Preliminary results enabled researchers to track the migration routes of three humpback whale mothers: Encanto, Tuta, and Wallina, providing new insights into the challenges they face during their long-distance journeys. These findings not only reveal the destinations that connect these remarkable travelers, but also the risks associated with human activities encountered along the way.
“For decades, we have known that humpback whales travel thousands of kilometers between their feeding and breeding grounds. However, we still knew relatively little about how they use the ocean throughout that journey. Each new location recorded helps fill critical knowledge gaps and supports the development of conservation strategies grounded in scientific evidence. Yet these data tell far more than a story of movement—they reveal stories of life, resilience, and connection among ecosystems and countries, reminding us that nature does not recognize borders and that protecting migratory species requires a shared vision”, said Piero Uceda.
© WWF-Peru
These findings reinforce the importance of advancing conservation efforts at a regional scale. In this context, Milagros Mitma and Piero Uceda, representatives of WWF Peru, presented the background and progress of the Transformational Initiative: Eastern Tropical Pacific Blue Corridor, highlighting its objectives of strengthening regional governance, consolidating marine protected areas, and promoting improved fisheries and maritime transport practices to safeguard large cetaceans.
One of the central sessions of the event was the expert panel, “Conservation Mechanisms Promoted in Peru for Whale Protection”, which brought together representatives from the Peruvian Marine Research Institute (IMARPE), the Ministry of the Environment (MINAM), the General Directorate of Captaincies and Coast Guard (DICAPI), the Ministry of Production (PRODUCE), the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR), the National Service of Natural Protected Areas (SERNANP), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE).
© WWF-Peru
During the discussion, authorities shared progress on scientific research, fisheries management, proposals submitted to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), responsible tourism initiatives, and marine conservation efforts. Panelists emphasized the importance of continuing to strengthen coordination mechanisms to ensure the effective protection of whales and their migratory routes at the national level.
The event reaffirmed that whale conservation requires the coordinated commitment of public institutions, conservation organizations, international cooperation partners, and citizens alike. Protecting these species is not only about conserving marine biodiversity—it is also about safeguarding ocean connectivity and ecosystem health for future generations.
