Indigenous Fishers in Colombia Rethink Shark Hunting and Protect Species on the Coast
In Colombia's La Guajira department, Indigenous Wayuu fishers are working with marine biologists to conserve and document shark populations, implementing sustainable fishing practices and exploring economic alternatives.
The Wayuu Indigenous community in Punta Gallinas, Colombia, is rethinking their approach to shark hunting. Wilfrido Arends, a 46-year-old fisher, is spearheading shark research and conservation in the community, where shark meat is a traditional part of the diet.
Arends and other Wayuu fishers are working with researchers from Proyecto Puyuii, a Colombian shark conservation initiative, to document shark diversity in the understudied waters of La Guajira. They are using sustainable fishing practices, such as larger-mesh nets and safe release techniques, to minimize pressure on the local shark population.
Despite a 2021 law banning targeted shark and ray fishing in Colombia, the meat remains a vital protein source in this food-insecure region. Proyecto Puyuii aims to promote economic alternatives for fishers, such as sustainable tourism, and to implement sustainable fishing practices.
## Sustainable Fishing Practices
The Wayuu fishers in Punta Gallinas have adopted sustainable fishing practices, such as using larger-mesh nets to avoid catching juvenile sharks. They are also focusing on other fish species and placing nets away from the open sea, where sharks are commonly found.
If they catch a shark incidentally, it will be released if found alive. Locals report that these measures have been widely adopted in Punta Gallinas, with around 17 boats out of an estimated 20 in the community no longer practicing shark-directed fishing.
## High Concentration of Shark Species
Biologists believe that the waters around Punta Gallinas are likely to contain a wealth of shark diversity. In La Guajira and other parts of the Colombian Caribbean, there appears to be a high concentration of ray and shark species.
Wayuu fishers have reported the presence of species ranging from tiger and silky sharks to endangered blacknose and the critically endangered smalleye hammerhead. Proyecto Puyuii's drive to document shark species is a crucial step toward facilitating more informed conservation measures in the future.
| Species | Presence in Punta Gallinas | | --- | --- | | Tiger shark | Yes | | Silky shark | Yes | | Blacknose shark | Yes | | Smalleye hammerhead | Yes |
## Economic Alternatives
A potential transition away from shark fishing is a challenging proposition for some communities in La Guajira. The Wayuu fishers Mongabay spoke to generally consider the 2021 law unfair on communities that still subsist on shark.
Locals report that a lack of rain in 2025's wet season resulted in widespread plant and livestock death. Luzmila Arends, sister of Wilfrido, reports losing around 247 of her 300 goats after the drought.
The community is exploring economic alternatives, such as sustainable tourism, to reduce their reliance on shark fishing. Proyecto Puyuii aims to promote these alternatives and to ensure the sustainability of current and future fishing practices.
| Alternative | Potential Economic Benefit | | --- | --- | | Sustainable tourism | High | | Shark conservation | Medium | | Sustainable fishing practices | Low |
The Wayuu fishers in Punta Gallinas are rethinking their approach to shark hunting, adopting sustainable fishing practices and exploring economic alternatives. Their efforts are crucial to ensuring the sustainability of shark populations in the region.
