Today, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced a new public-private partnership to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in Peru and Ecuador. IUU fishing threatens the sustainability of important artisanal fisheries and biodiversity, as well as the livelihoods and resilience of coastal communities.
USAID is providing an initial $5.7 million to launch this new activity. This activity is a collaboration with the Walton Family Foundation, which is contributing $12.5 million, and a coalition of environmental organizations led by partner Societate Peruana de Derecho Ambiental in Peru, which will implement the project.
This new partnership promotes sustainable and profitable fishing practices in Ecuador and Peru to significantly reduce IUU fishing by artisanal fishing fleets. The project targets four socio-economically important artisanal fisheries in Peru and Ecuador, including the Galapagos Marine Reserve.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken made this announcement during a visit to the local fish market in Lima, Peru, as part of his visit to the General Assembly of the Organization of American States.
