Native fisheries resources of Lake Titicaca: an urgent management priority

Lake Titicaca faces an ecological and socioeconomic crisis due to the lack of binational fishing regulations between Peru and Bolivia, pollution, and climate change impacts. Overfishing, environmental degradation, and the absence of reproductive bans and minimum catch sizes have caused a drastic 90% decline in native fish catches over the past three decades. This situation threatens not only the lake’s biodiversity but also the livelihoods of over 700,000 people dependent on its fisheries.

The most affected species include the Orestias and Trichomycterus genera, with at least 20 species already extinct and six endangered. Pollution from municipal wastewater, industrial/agricultural waste, and intensive trout farming has degraded water quality. Additionally, the lake’s water level has dropped two meters below its historical average, destroying key habitats for native species’ reproduction and rearing.

To address this crisis, the Binational Autonomous Authority of Lake Titicaca (ALT) has implemented various strategies since 2021 to mitigate uncontrolled fishing impacts. These include:

• Community awareness programs with fishing communities.
• Training in artificial fish reproduction techniques.
• Production and release of over four million fry into the lake.

Short-term measures focus on promoting compliance with binational fishing bans while developing alternative livelihoods (like guinea pig and poultry farming) to ensure sustainable incomes during ban periods. These initiatives, supported by both Peruvian and Bolivian governments, require ongoing efforts to ensure resource conservation.

Author : Juan José OCOLA SALAZAR, Binational Autonomous Authority of Lake Titicaca (ALT)