7 Million Shrimp Larvae Released in Tumaco to Revive Local Economy

Tumaco, Colombia: Millions of Shrimp Larvae Released to Boost Local Economy and Environment Tumaco, a coastal town in Colombia's Nariño department, witnessed a significant event on June 2nd, 2025. Seven million shrimp larvae were released into the mangrove ecosystems surrounding the city as part of a crucial initiative to revive the local shrimp industry and support the community's economic well-being. This project, spearheaded by the Tumaco municipal government's Secretary of Agriculture, aims to improve the lives of over 3,000 families who depend on fishing for their livelihoods. The video shows volunteers carefully transporting and releasing the larvae into the water. Luis Javier Preciado, Secretary of Agriculture and Fisheries of Tumaco, stated, "This aquaculture project will benefit more than 3,000 families in Tumaco, boosting their economic activity." Hasan Oquendo, representing the Tumaco Fishermen's Cooperative, expressed hope that at least 10% of the larvae would survive to adulthood, resulting in a significant increase in the shrimp biomass. The project not only addresses economic concerns but also contributes to environmental sustainability. Marcela Oquendo, a member of CODESAT, emphasized the importance of repopulation for the recovery of the fishing resource and the improvement of the mangrove ecosystem's flora and fauna. This initiative serves as a beacon of hope for the community and demonstrates a successful collaboration between the government and local fishermen to restore the region's natural resources and promote sustainable economic growth.