In search of the octopus, tales of underwater fishing

November, 2023

Together with Julio, César and Mariano, we will learn how they manage to catch this species that lives in the depths of the sea, and how they work with ecosystem-friendly equipment to ensure that this species will remain for future generations. A documentary produced as part of the Por la Pesca project, which to date has helped more than 170 artisanal divers obtain their fishing permits to work safely and peacefully at sea.

This documentary, filmed in Paita (Piura), follows the artisanal “pulmonero” divers and those who use compressors on their fishing trips that begin at dawn, when they wake up, prepare their tools and head to the dock. It also explores how they manage to catch this species that lives in the depths of the sea, and how they work with ecosystem-friendly gear to ensure its conservation. It also shows how they relate to the sea, how their understanding goes beyond seeing it as a source of resources, and how they manage to build a bond with it.

The documentary also addresses the challenges faced by this group, such as the lack of information about this fishery, the poor implementation of the management of communities or groups of artisanal divers, and the problems of formalizing this activity, since the category of artisanal lung divers is not included in the current regulations. 

The documentary Buscando al pulpo, historias de una pesca submarina was produced by the Peruvian Society of Environmental Law (SPDA) in collaboration with Redes SP, as part of the Por la Pesca project, supported by USAID and the Walton Foundation, which has helped more than 170 artisanal divers obtain their fishing permits and work in peace and safety at sea.