La Pachita y Mata de Palma vuelven a llenarse de vida

19|08|2016

With the assistance of the European Union Embassy in Colombia; Ana Paula Zacarías; the Governor of Cesar, Franco Ovalle; the Mayor of El Paso, Hidalfo de la Cruz; Prodeco CEO Mark McManus; Corpocesar; AUNAP and fishing families of the area; the repopulation project of the La Pachita and Mata de Palma Bogs in the town of La Loma was started, which seeks to bring life back into these important bodies of water in Cesar.

There will be in total 2,035,000 fingerlings of bocachico (Prochilodus magdalenae) and gilt-head bream (Sparus aurata), native species of these bogs, which will be gradually released to improve the conditions of these bogs that have suffered for years the effects of global warming and sedimentation.

“I believe this is a very clear example of territory peace building. There are joint efforts between public and private institutions. The European Union has been working on the Zapatosa complex for many years. We came here today to see results, but also to understand the needs and desires of the region. Now, in this important moment of peace, we hope that in the future we can put ourtrust fund and execute more activities here,” said the ambassador of the European Union in Colombia during the release of the species.

The main objective of this project is to build a suitable space for sustaining fish, as well as to ensure food security for all the families that benefit from fishing in this place. Eight to nine months from now, local fishermen will be able to fish again in these bogs, since from the beginning of the project they will be trained through workshops and activities in appropriate fishing practices to preserve life in the bodies of water.

Hidalfo de la Cruz, Mayor of El Paso, appreciated the support of the Government and Prodeco, one of the companies developing this project. “I thank Prodeco on behalf of the fishing community that is currently requiring our support. We have been losing the essence of our town, devoted to agriculture, stockbreeding and fishing; but today you are reactivating fishing and I know this will be an opportunity for fishermen to support their families,” he stated.