Zapallar Artisanal Fishers Union

A natural amphitheater surrounded by hills where the sclerophyllous forest still persists, Zapallar Cove is one of the most iconic beaches in central Chile. Its origins date back to 1847, when the sector was declared a minor port for trade. A few years later, in 1860, Zapallar Cove was founded by the brothers Pablo and Romualdo Olmos.

It was in 2020 when the Zapallar Artisanal Fishers Union agreed, on a voluntary basis and with the support of Capital Azul Foundation, to establish a TURF-Reserve within the Territorial User Rights for Fisheries (TURF or AMERB, as abbreviated in Spanish) called Zapallar A. The TURF-Reserve, a marine area for conservation purposes, which has an area of just over 12 hectares, is located in the area known as “Isla Seca” (“Dry Island”), which can be accessed by walking north from the main beach (as if heading towards Papudo) along the iconic Zapallar coastline.

 Through the collaboration agreement, among other measures, the union imposes a prohibition on harvesting in the TURF-Reserve, which applies to its own members and to any other fisher, as well as to the general public. As part of what is intended, is the restoration of the ecosystem and species that live there, thus generating a spillover effect that will ultimately benefit the TURF and other surrounding areas.

The Zapallar TURF-Reserve was the first of the TURF program to enter the Socialization Phase. This occurred through its official inauguration on December 4th, 2021 with an event which invited the entire local community to join this marine conservation initiative with a series of recreational, sports, educational and cultural activities.

Every year the anniversary of the Zapallar TURF-Reserve is celebrated as a way to keep alive the participation and engagement of the community. Likewise, periodic visits from educational establishments in the town and its surroundings, as well as other groups and collectives, to the cove and the TURF-Reserve. These environmental education experiences have been accompanied by the Capital Azul team to strengthen work with different audiences.