Iluminar el Mar
Bringing Light to the Depths Iluminar el Mar
We are facing a critical challenge that demands collective action – the relentless scourge of fisheries bycatch, responsible for devastating population declines in sea turtles, marine mammals, sharks and rays, and seabirds. This crisis hits home, especially within Ecuador’s artisanal fishing sector.
The good news? Promising studies have spotlighted the effectiveness of colored LED lights in drastically reducing bycatch. And that’s where Project Iluminar el Mar comes in – a dynamic collaboration with local Fishermen, NGOS, universities and government agencies.
Special thanks to UNDP for selecting us as winners of the Ocean Innovation Challenge, giving us the ability to start our implementation process.
Our multifaceted strategy includes community workshops, human-centered design studies, and LED light trials, all with an unwavering commitment to safeguarding livelihoods and marine life alike. Our vision is to establish Ecuador as a global leader, igniting change worldwide.
Join us and be apart of this remarkable journey to protect our oceans and create a legacy for generations to come.
Fundación Mare Nostrum
Ecuador
MARE NOSTRUM, was established in Quito, Ecuador, with a mandate to create practical and lasting solutions for the protection of our oceans, focusing on Marine Pollution, Overfishing, and Climate Change.
Our offices and international chapters work together to develop meaningful projects and campaigns, which are fact-based, that we hope to replicate in regions all around the world. Many of these initiatives are implemented with the assistance of strategic partners, in order to share knowledge and scale success. It is clear that we can accomplish much more together than if we act alone, and that there is no time to waste.
We must challenge ourselves to develop initiatives that will push the boundaries of technology and keep ocean policy moving in the right direction. Although human activity has left our oceans in distress, we can still turn the tide to ensure a healthy future, which is why we must remain committed to transforming challenges into opportunities.