Peru PLANETA OCEANO Workshops for Manta Rays

Image Source and Courtesy PLANETA OCEANO Peru during a Mural Paiting Ocean Campaign

The Non-Profit Organization based in La Molina Peru PLANETA OCEANO is conducting workshops for Manta Ray Ecotourism with artisanal fishermen in Peru. The organization has the support of the international Project AWARE.  

On May 28^th PLANETA OCEAN reported on the first workshop for Manta-Ray-Ecotourism with artisan fishermen. The organization called the workshop a “success”. PLANETA OCEANO travelled North to meet with the fishermen with plans to give 5 workshops in 5 different fishing communities. 

Project AWARE –present in over 180 countries, explains that the work of PLANETA OCEAN was listed by FORBES “30 under 30 Social Entrepreneur” list and recognized by WWWF International President’s Award. Working in Peru the organization faces massive challenges as the country is home to one of the largest fishing stocks which feed the international demands of the global market. 

The Peruvian National Environmental Citizenship Award also recognized the work of the Peruvian organization PLANETA OCEANO to empower Eco-tourism. 

The workshop started with an exposition to raise awareness, given by Stefany, the Manta Ray Researcher, where she explained the vulnerability of this species. “The second part was the introduction to the project itself, explaining what it was about , what we were planning to do and the benefits ecotourism services can provide,” PLANETA OCEAN explains.

PLANETA OCEANO takes to research, conducts action plans for marine conservation, investigations and speaks to local sectors. The organization believes that coastal communities directly depend on marine environments for subsistence, yet inadequate human practices often expose them to degradation.

“The best moment for us was when we met very skeptical Manta Ray hunters, who didn’t believe we could change their minds about killing Mantas. But when the workshop ended, they came up to us and said -you were right. That alone made it all worth it,” PLANETA OCEAN reported from Peru on the Manta Ray workshop.

Together with these communities, we promote environmentally-friendly alternatives for sustainable development, which include economic activities such as ecotourism, development of handicrafts and recycling.

Among participants, they met with fishermen that had helped in previous Manta Ray Research as well as fishermen that continue to hunt Manta Rays. In total, 50 fishermen participated in the workshops at La Cruz, Zorritos, Acapulco and Los Organos. More than half of them expressed interest in working with them in the project

According to their surveys Knowledge on Manta Rays increased by more than 115% and Interest in Manta Rays increased by 30%. The organization has plans for more workshops for Mid-June which include training on Ecotourism and Management of Tourism Services.