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Whilst the main task of the volunteers who participate in the project is to collect photo ID data on the dolphins and to monitor other wildlife, such as the endangered Humboldt penguin, our partner NGO on site has a much wider area of activity, apart from committing wholeheartedly to sustainable tourism and low environmental impact.
They are active in working with local communities to educate and organize them to keep their environment clean, in particular the beaches and ocean, where devastating damage can be caused to the wildlife. This project also gives value to nature and provides income to the local communities by promoting sustainable, science-based and educational tourism.
Based on an already established Photo ID Catalogue of bottlenose dolphins in the area, the project aims to monitor the population trends, to identify key habitats for reproduction and foraging in order to work for future protection of these sites, to identify threats such as contamination resulting in skin disease, unsustainable tourism practises resulting in physical damage and behavioural changes, as well as the consequences of habitat loss, for example, port construction and development.
The data to be collected by the volunteers is being used to provide evidence of the populations of wildlife, so that government at both a local and national level can be lobbied to take appropriate action when making decisions on matters which affect the marine ecosystem. One current example is the campaign against the proposed massive expansion of the port at Ancon, north of Lima. The data can also be used to support the case for turning sensitive locations into Marine Protected Areas. Our NGO partner was instrumental in the campaign to ensure protected status for the National Reserve Guano Islands and Cliffs.
The information obtained is therefore key in order to develop conservation strategies. The research methods are designed specifically to address environmental threats such as contamination, tourism and habitat destruction and provide feasible solutions and solid scientific information to local and national stakeholders, as well as improving our overall knowledge on cetaceans on a global scale.
Our partner also campaigns vigorously against the illegal consumption of dolphin meat, and conducts hidden camera operations in local markets, which has had the gratifying impact of helping reduce this practice over the past 5 years.
We are also formulating a Dolphin Protection Tourism Protocol with the local NGO, for the local dolphin tourism companies and fishermen, which sets very clear guidelines for the behaviour of boats, such as speed and angle of approach to the dolphin pods. This will help reduce the damage to the cetacean population in the area. Conservation Tourism is an important way to raise awareness among the local community and the volunteers, and raises funds which enable the essential work they do to continue for the benefit of both wildlife and humans.
Local guides:
The Project Manager is a German national, married to a Peruvian, and he works in partnership with local people for the management and maintenance of the boats which are used on the project, as well as for guides on the days spent at sea. He is a biologist with extensive knowledge of the local wildlife and communities, and a passionate advocate and campaigner for the marine ecosystem on the coast of Peru.
Food:
All food and drink on this project is bought in local grocery stores and fresh produce markets which creates economic activity directly from tourism. In the port of Pucusana and in St. Bartolo, we support locally owned restaurants and hotels. We also support a microenterprise which sells snacks on the side of the Panamerican Highway close to the destination.
Local crafts and produce:
The location of the project is not a tourist area, and therefore there are few opportunities to purchase local crafts. However, we do encourage volunteers to get to know the local community and to interact with them to learn about their life and culture.
Accommodation: All accommodation is locally owned, and only employs local people. This provides direct benefits to local people through employment, and also the provision of food and services in the area.
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