The South American country of Peru has taken a significant step towards protecting its marine ecosystems, with the Council of Ministers approving the creation of the National Natural Reserve "Reserva Nacional Mar Tropical de Grau" (RNMTG). With an area of 115,675.89 hectares extending off the departments of Tumbes and Piura, this new reserve helps promote biodiversity and the sustainable use of marine resources along the Peruvian coast.
The creation of this protected area is a significant milestone in international efforts to protect marine habitats. Peru is committed to implementing the 30 x 30 target of the Global Framework for Biodiversity, which aims to protect 30% of the world's marine and terrestrial areas by 2030. The RNMTG thus contributes to achieving national and global goals for the protection of the marine environment.
Environment Minister Juan Carlos Castro stressed the importance of this new protected area in protecting marine biodiversity and promoting the country's food security. The Piura and Tumbes regions are rich in marine resources, many of which are vital to the nutrition and livelihoods of local communities.
The RNMTG will not only help conserve biodiversity but also protect traditional artisanal fishing, which is recognized as a national cultural heritage. Over 9,500 artisanal fishermen who use sustainable and environmentally friendly fishing methods will benefit from this measure.
The creation of this protected area is also expected to boost the economic development of the region, particularly in the tourism sector. With the unique marine environment of the RNMTG, new opportunities for ecotourism and sustainable development projects will emerge, benefiting both the local economy and the protection of the marine environment.
