On World Ocean Day: Carlo, a fishing owner from Mollendo, Arequipa, inspires us with his love for the sea

The ocean has a fundamental role to play in the health of humanity. It produces half of the air we breathe and it provides food and livelihoods for more than a billion people. It is also home to several wildlife species, from the smallest plankton to the largest creature that has ever existed: the blue whale.

Despite the many benefits it offers, there are drivers that threaten its well-being such as plastic pollution, oil spills, and agrochemicals. This is impacting nature, polluting production chains, and contributing to climate change.

Consequently, the temperature of the oceans becomes warmer and more acidic, leading to the loss of coral reefs, polar regions, and the diversity species that inhabit our Peruvian sea. Therefore, to remember its importance and reflect the impacts we cause, today we celebrate World Ocean Day.

In this context, we highlight the work not only of fishermen but also of shipowners, who maintain a close relationship with the oceans and recognize their great value. Through the Carlo Navarrete story, a shipowner from Mollendo, Arequipa, we will know his dedication that, like many fishermen, has committed to conserve this great wealth.

"You can fish, without preying. This way we'll always have a marine resource to enjoy. To achieve this, we must promote activities such as the legalization of fishermen and encourage good fishing practices. If the Peruvian sea was not as rich and productive as it is now, we would have nothing," said Carlo Navarrete. He has promoted the formalization of more than 100 artisanal fishermen in his community and offers a fair price to the sustainably extracted product. This means that the divers and fishermen associated with it comply with the closure period, minimum sizes, and traceability of the resource and in return receive a fair income.

In addition, Carlo Navarrete seeks that the next link in the productive chain is as committed as he is, so he only sells to businesses that accept the catch of the day and that do not require product quotas that promote the overexploitation of the species. To achieve healthy oceans, everyone must commit to sustainability, from the fisherman to the final consumer.

Under this premise, Carlo generates greater value for his product and the community by promoting a vacuum packer that uses biodegradable packaging. To achieve this and form his business plan, he enrolled in the training program promoted by WWF and Intelfin "Pesca Emprende". Together with 21 shipowners from all over the Peruvian coast, they have learned to develop business ideas that improve the economy of the fishing coast, under a sustainable development approach.

"Strengthening the capacities of artisanal fishing owners – sometimes they are also fishermen – who seek the health of the oceans sets a precedent for addressing the challenges of fisheries management. Thanks to their effort, dedication and desire to get ahead, shipowners and/or fishermen have been able to learn and develop tools to enhance their ventures, taking into account the economic, social, and environmental components," said Evelyn Luna-Victoria, Senior Manager of the Marine Program of WWF-Peru.

On World Ocean Day, we raise our voice to find solutions that reduce the threats that are facing the oceans. It is necessary to promote more initiatives such as "Pesca Emprende" where shipowners, fishermen, civil society, the private sector and the government join forces to mai healthy one of the most productive seas in the world, the Peruvian sea. A more engaged society will generate greater demand for sustainable products and protect our sea.

© Yawar Films / WWF-Perú