Native Waters Revival

Along the Gulf of Tribugá, on Colombia’s remote Pacific coast, Guardianes Del Mar is leading a quiet revolution in grassroots marine conservation. Here, where rainforest meets ocean, the organization’s work is helping to safeguard one of the planet’s most biodiverse coastal ecosystems. Recognized as both a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a Mission Blue Hope Spot, this stretch of ocean is a vital migratory corridor and breeding ground for humpback whales, hammerhead sharks, and countless other species.

Embedded in the cultural and ecological heritage of the region, Guardianes Del Mar pairs traditional Afro-Colombian and Indigenous Emberá knowledge with community-driven science to protect and restore ancestral waters. Founded in 2014, the initiative began with the mission to remove ghost gear, abandoned fishing gear that continues to trap and kill marine life long after its loss. Every year, an estimated 11 million tonnes of plastic waste enter the ocean–roughly the equivalent of a garbage truck’s worth of waste every minute. Over time, the organization has evolved into a collective of community leaders united by the shared vision of protecting the Gulf’s heritage through collaboration and ancestral knowledge.

This ongoing project documents how local management can redefine marine conservation and offer a model for coastal resilience in Colombia and abroad.

An initial feature will be available in the Photographers Without Borders 2025 print publication. Pre-order here.