Piura. Professional divers have recovered a total of 15,846 kilograms of waste from the seabed off the coast of the northern Peruvian region of Piura. The cleanup campaign covered Máncora, Los Órganos, Talara, Paita, Bayóvar, and Isla Lobos de Afuera.
A total of 144 people participated in the campaign on September 7, 2026. 67 professional divers were deployed using 41 boats. This was the third joint cleanup operation of this kind on the Piura coast.
Old tires account for the largest share
Old tires made up the largest part of the recovered waste. In total, divers pulled about 7,130 kilograms of them from the seabed. This corresponds to about 45 percent of the total weight.
In addition, there were 2,590 kilograms of metal, 1,710 kilograms of plastic, and 1,600 kilograms of hoses. Fishing gear, ropes, boots, engine filters, and wood debris were also recovered.
The quantity was significantly higher than the previous year's result. More than eleven tons of waste had been collected during the corresponding campaign in 2025.
Fishing directly affected by pollution
Pollution of the seabed also poses a problem for the fishing industry. Abandoned nets, lines, and other fishing equipment can injure marine life or become so-called "ghost nets" in which animals get trapped.
For the coastal towns of Piura, the state of the sea also has economic significance. Thousands of families in the region live directly or indirectly from fishing. Towns like Máncora and Los Órganos are additionally highly dependent on tourism.
Fishermen call for better waste management
Representatives of the participating fishermen's organizations are therefore demanding that the focus should not solely be on regular cleanup campaigns. Waste must be separated on board and then disposed of properly on land.
Julio Benites, president of the Comité Regional de Extractores del Recurso Pulpo – Piura, advocated for better training for fishermen and boat crews. At the same time, appropriate waste disposal facilities are needed at the piers.
The campaign was coordinated by the Comité Regional de Extractores del Recurso Pulpo – Piura. Fishermen's and divers' organizations from Máncora, Los Órganos, Talara, Paita, Bayóvar, and Isla Lobos de Afuera participated. Technical support for the operation was provided by REDES Sostenibilidad Pesquera.
Almost five tons more than in the previous year
At 15,846 kilograms, this year's result was significantly higher than in 2025. The large amount simultaneously shows that the disposal of waste related to fishing and shipping on the northern Peruvian coast continues to be a problem.
This is particularly relevant for Piura. The region is one of Peru's most important fishing areas. A clean seabed is therefore not just a matter of environmental protection but directly affects the livelihood of many people on the coast.
The figures
Recovered waste: 15,846 kg
Participants: 144
Professional divers: 67
Boats: 41
Tires: 7,130 kg
Metal: 2,590 kg
Plastic: 1,710 kg
Hoses: 1,600 kg
Areas: Máncora, Los Órganos, Talara, Paita, Bayóvar, and Isla Lobos de Afuera
Date of the campaign: September 7, 2026
Inforegión, September 17, 2026
La República Sostenible, September 18, 2026
El Regional de Piura, September 19, 2026
Image source: Inforegión / Difusión. Image of a cleanup campaign by fishermen and divers on the Piura coast.
