The Ministry of Culture in Peru officially declared Cabo Blanco and El Ñuro’s artisanal fishing as National Cultural Heritage. “It is the most important acknowledgement ever given to this millenary tradition, which nowadays plays a key role for the conservation of the Tropical Pacific Sea and the sustainable use of fishery resources,” says Inkaterra founder and chairman José Koechlin.

Announced at El Peruano official journal through resolution Nº 117-2018-VMPCIC-MC on August 4 (65th anniversary of the all-tackle world record, a 1560lb black marlin landed by Alfred Glassell), this declaration was prompted by NGO Inkaterra Asociación and backed by the Cabo Blanco Artisanal Fishermen Guild.

Inkaterra Asociación works with coastal communities to transform Cabo Blanco into a new ecotourism destination and a global model of sustainability. In 2012, the organization presented to the Ministry of Environment a Technical Proposal for the creation of Peru’s first marine reserve – first step for the declaration of a natural protected area, supported by the National Geographic Society, the International Game Fish Association, University of Miami and University of Alicante, among other institutions.

Since then, Inkaterra Asociación holds practical workshops on sustainable fishing techniques onboard the Analúa school-boat. All artisanal fishermen have been certified, while an ozone ice plant was established to meet high quality standards. Infrastructure initiatives include the improvement of the local fishing dock, the building of new roads, and the recovery of running water service.

FORBES HIGHLIGHTS INKATERRA’S APPROACH ON ECOTOURISM

Leadership strategy contributor Andrew Cave looks into the ecotourism boom in Peru for the latest edition of Forbes Magazine, where he talks about Inkaterra’s history and ethos. “We never had any idea of how big ecotourism could become. The world has changed so much in the past 40 years that it would have been impossible to imagine the revolution that has happened,” Inkaterra founder and CEO José Koechlin says.

“Inkaterra prefers to use other metrics to chart its success – species spotted, nurtured and preserved for mankind,” writes Cave. Regarding this aspect, José Koechlin explains Inkaterra’s business model. “Everything is based on inventories… Most hotels have them for beds, chairs and the tubes of shampoo in the shower. Ours are for flora, fauna and wildlife. The first thing we do is learn about where the hotel is, undertaking environmental and cultural assessments so that we know what to compare ourselves against in the future and measure how our presence has improved the area.”