ecOceánica – Peru (2020)

In Cancas and Punta Mero, Peru, the accidental capture and mortality of sea turtles, especially hawksbills, is a pervasive problem in artisanal fisheries. ecOceánica will use its 2020 SWOT grant to reduce turtle bycatch and mortality by implementing bycatch reduction technology, creating partnerships with local communities, developing a sea turtle conservation strategy, and increasing public awareness and knowledge of environmental issues through place-based education and citizen science.

With the collaboration of a local fisher, ecÓceanica measured, applied flipper tags, and released an accidentally captured hawksbill turtle in Tumbes, Peru. © Carmen Gonzalez/ecÓceanica

A fisher accidentally captures a hawksbill turtle in Tumbes. The ecÓceanica team was able to take measurements, apply flipper tags, and release the turtle. © Carmen Gonzalez/ecÓceanica