Ocean Witness Patricio
Raúl Marín Balmaceda, ChileAfter working in Chile’s fisheries for many years, Patricio Merino became an advocate for marine conservation in his community and the Director of the Multiple-Use Coastal Marine Protected Area Pitipalena-Añihué Foundation. With his town’s fishermen’s union, local organisations, the Ministry of Environment and, after the establishment of the protected area, with the support of WWF-Chile, Patricio was part of the creation of the first community-managed marine protected area in Chile. Here, he tells us the story of how the protected area of Pitipalena-Añihué became an example for coastal conservation: “The idea is to set a precedent for the future.”