The mayor of the Peruvian fishing port Pucusana and the Association Mundo Azul (Blue World) signed an agreement for the longterm cooperation in the fight against poverty, sustainable tourism development, as well as for the conservation of the environment.

Pucusana, Peru; 17.03.2003: The mayor of the Peruvian fishing port Pucusana, situated at 70 kilometers south of the countries capital Lima, and the Association Mundo Azul signed today an agreement for a long term cooperation in the fight against poverty and for the sustainable tourism development, as well as for the conservation of the environment. The goal of the agreement is to enable both institutions to develop common projects in order to:

Reduce poverty in Pucusana.
Assist the sustainable development of Pucusana, specially focusing on ecotourism and fisheries.
Fight illegal, destructive and unsustainable fishing practices.
Reduce marine and terrestrial contamination.
Conserve the marine and coastal habitats and species of wild fauna and flora, as well as natural processes.
Support environmental education and raise awareness in local fishermen and the society in general.

Mundo Azul (Blue World) is a Peruvian nonprofit Association, founded in 1999, for the conservation of marine, coastal and aquatic species and ecosystems, the execution of scientific research, the development of sustainable ways to use natural resources and to raise environmental awareness. Since the year 2001 Mundo Azul is actively implementing environmental education programs in public schools of Pucusana as well as conducting marine biodiversity research. Since October 2001 Mundo Azul participates in the local "roundtable for the fight against poverty" in Pucusana.

"The signature of this agreement is an important step forward for Mundo Azul", says Stefan Austermühle, Executive Director of Mundo Azul. "This way the city government recognizes officially the work our organization has been realizing in Pucusana during the last two years and gives the necessary backup in order to begin development and conservation projects that have already been planned but could not be implemented due to the lack of cooperation by the former mayor. With his decision the current mayor of Pucusana, Mr. Nestor Chumpitaz Huapaya, creates a climate of friendship and cooperation that will boost local conservation and the sustainable development of Pucusana."

"As the mayor of Pucusana", says Nestor Chumpitaz Huapaya, "I am firmly decided to cooperate with all public and private entities to fight poverty and promote the sustainable development of Pucusana, conserving at the same time the beautiful nature surrounding our town as well as its natural resources. The activities of Mundo Azul are very important and we are welcoming the organization's efforts to help the people of Pucusana. I therefore believe it is key to establish officially this cooperation between the cities government and Mundo Azul, so that the organization is able to implement the planned projects in order to help improving the quality of life of the citizens of our beautiful Pucusana."