Spanish

Dear friends and colleagues,

March is especially important for WWF because it is Earth Hour month, the largest grassroots environmental movement in the world. Several links have been created between WWF, social networks, institutions and local actors, coinciding with the values ​​of collective action of this coming global event this month.

In Oceans, after 10 years of work by WWF-Ecuador and other partners, the Dorado fishery began its full assessment for MSC certification. On the other hand, WWF-Peru joined efforts in a new initiative to keep over 50 tons of discarded fishing nets from entering the Peruvian sea. WWF-Mexico brought together fishers, distributors and hotel chains to push forward changes in seafood sourcing practices.

Regarding Freshwater, WWF-Colombia and GSI-LAC helped to bring together social actors from the Colombian Caribbean to conserve water through the Water Cooperation and Custody Platform.

As for Forests, in Argentina, the province of Chaco rescinded the provisions that allow Chaco Forest deforestation, as a result of the analysis contributed by different NGOs, including Fundación Vida Silvestre.

Regarding Wildlife, Ecuador moved towards the conservation of threatened shark species thanks to the approval of the Non-Detriment Findings.

In relation to Governance, WWF-Bolivia is supporting projects by women and youth organizations through the Citizen Initiatives Fund. On the other hand, the Ministry of the Environment and WWF-Paraguay signed an interinstitutional cooperation agreement.

Finally, in Finance, WWF-Chile promoted the incorporation of environmental and social criteria in the salmon financial sector. Lastly, Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina and the Association of Banks of Argentina signed a mutual collaboration agreement to promote best practices in the sustainable finance sector.

Enjoy this new edition,

Roberto Troya

Vice president & Regional Director

WWF-LAC

Large Ecuadorian fishery is in final stage of MSC certification

After 10 years of executing a fishery improvement project, the artisanal Dorado longline fishery started a formal process of completing its evaluation, under the fisheries standard of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). This could become the first artisanal fishery from a large pelagic to obtain this certification.

Joint efforts keep more than 50 tons of fishing nets from entering Peruvian sea

Between 640,000 and 800,000 tons of nets are abandoned in the ocean every year. The Net Positiva Peru initiative was created to respond to this problem and prevent more than 50 tons of disused fishing nets from contaminating the Peruvian sea. It seeks to engage industrial and artisanal fishers so they recycle fishing nets at the end of their life cycles in order to prevent the nets from ending up at the bottom of the sea, which is the most harmful form of plastic pollution.

Sustainable Seafood Roundtable results in corporate commitments

WWF organized the Mexican Roundtable for Sustainable Seafood. During the event Hyatt Mexico City announced that 50% of seafood will be from sustainable sources in one year, while Hilton announced 25% in all properties in Mexico for 2022. WWF-Mexico will play a role as advisor for the compliance of their corporative goals.

Actors from the Colombian Caribbean come together to conserve water

For the first time the productive sector teamed up with government institutions and local communities to work together for the conservation and sustainable use of the natural resources in the Frío and Sevilla rivers. Thanks to the support from WWF and GSI-LAC, actors are linked to the Water Cooperation and Custody Platform. As part of this initiative, the II Local Basin Forum was held in the Zona Bananera municipality (Magdalena department). This event facilitated an exchange of knowledge between the sectors and actors that benefit from these basins and to establish the bases to achieve a collective vision that integrates all points of view.

The Chaco Province rescinds disposals for deforestation

The Chaco Government signed a decree that rescinds disposals that allow deforestation in the Chaco Forest and suspends the land-use planning until the reviews from various NGOs are evaluated. Undoubtedly, this is good news and great progress for the protection of our native forests.

Ecuador moves towards the conservation of threatened shark species

The Ministry of the Environment announced that the Non-Detriment Findings were approved for three threatened shark species. With this approval, Ecuador takes a step forward in the compliance of the international requirements established by CITES, and marks a milestone in the management for the conservation of threatened shark species within the country.   

WWF-Bolivia supports women and youth environmental project fund

The Citizen Initiatives Fund, part of the Sustainable Societies program of WWF-Bolivia, supports the implementation of five projects by base organizations of women and youth mainly. One of these projects is Urban Indigenous Voices, a radio magazine that sensitizes and educates indigenous youth about their environmental rights and gives them the space to show their reality from their vision and social context.

Ministry of the Environment and WWF sign a cooperation agreement

The Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development and WWF-Paraguay signed a cooperation agreement. This document establishes the terms of collaboration between both institutions. A documentary produced by WWF on the Paraguayan Pantanal was also screened during the event. This material was made with the goal of highlighting the importance of the Pantanal as an ecoregion and its impact on the area, its biodiversity, public policies and the private initiatives that are being promoted within the framework of sustainable development.

WWF promotes environmental and social criteria in the financial sector

WWF-Chile played an important role in determining the criteria for the $100 million (USD) loan granted by RaboFinance to the Agrosuper company to finance acquisitions in the Chilean salmon industry. This loan was recognized by the national market as the first green credit awarded in the country. It also incorporates the commitment to the ASC certification and the enhancement of the relationship with neighboring communities.

Fundación Vida Silvestre and the Association of Argentine Banks work towards sustainable finance

Fundación Vida Silvestre and the Association of Argentine Banks (ABA) signed a MOU to work together and promote best practices in the sustainable finances sector. The agreement aims to develop training programs and tools for ABA’s partners, allowing the analysis and measurement of the environmental and social risks in their activities.