Protecting the sea and its marine ecosystems from the threats posed by ghost fishing gear and other human-generated waste.

Since 2023, the Guardians of the Sea—a group of 13 people (9 men and 4 women) from the municipality of Nuquí—have been dedicated to removing lost, abandoned, or discarded fishing gear (known as “ghost fishing”) from the reefs of the Gulf of Tribugá, in the northern Colombian Pacific. Ghost fishing threatens marine biodiversity and directly affects more than 7,000 residents across nine coastal communities that depend on artisanal fisheries and tourism.

The Guardians of the Sea group was established in Nuquí in response to a local initiative by the Kákiri Diving Center, which since 2013 has been working to combat the impacts of ghost fishing gear in the Gulf of Tribugá and restore the rocky reefs by training local divers. In 2022, with the support of Ecomares, the initiative evolved into a community training project aimed at raising awareness about the damage abandoned fishing gear causes to marine ecosystems, artisanal fisheries, and tourism. In particular, the local rocky reefs—locally known as riscales—are essential habitats for fish species and serve as breeding and cleaning areas for migratory animals such as humpback whales, making the 60,000 hectares of the Gulf of Tribugá a site of high ecological and touristic value.

The accumulation of ghost fishing gear degrades ecosystems and reduces their capacity to provide ecosystem services, such as supplying food to local populations. This degradation increases the vulnerability of communities to climate change by limiting access to fishery resources and restricting economic opportunities linked to tourism.

On September 19, 2025, the Sea Guardians of the Gulf of Tribugá were legally established as an association. To continue advancing their mission, they plan to improve their organisational structure based on a sustainable business model, with community work at its core. This new step will enable them to establish partnerships with NGOs, government institutions, and research centers interested in underwater clean-ups, scientific studies, and environmental awareness campaigns in Nuquí and surrounding areas. Their new financial plan aims to recognise the value of their work as diving guides and allocate a significant portion of their income to a savings fund typically used for emergency operations. 

With the support of a grant from the International Climate Initiative (IKI), Ecomares aims to strengthen the Sea Guardians by providing training in management and leadership and promoting gender equity. To this end, a training call will be launched specifically for women from the municipality of Nuquí. Participants will have the opportunity to join the Sea Guardians team upon completing the training. The project seeks to consolidate a local initiative with high environmental and social impact, ensuring that the Sea Guardians remain active, functional, and capable of long-term self-sustainability.