Lake Titicaca, straddling the borders of Peru and Bolivia, is the world’s highest navigable lake and a vital resource for the communities that call it home. Known for its rich biodiversity, including native fish species found nowhere else on Earth, the lake faces increasing threats from overfishing, pollution, and habitat degradation.
The Living Lakes Biodiversity and Climate project, in collaboration with the Binational Authority of Lake Titicaca (ALT), is working to address these challenges. By empowering local communities to adopt sustainable practices and protect the lake’s natural treasures, they aim to ensure a brighter future for this irreplaceable ecosystem.
Q: Introduce yourself and delineate your connection to Lake Titicaca?
My name is David Quico Nina, and I come from Santa Lucía, Puno, a community nestled by the breathtaking Lagunillas Lagoon within the watershed of Lake Titicaca—our majestic and sacred body of water. Like my parents before me, I’m an artisanal fisherman. This work fills me with pride, not only because it helps provide for my family, but because it allows me to maintain a deep, generational connection with the lake.
However, that pride is accompanied by a heavy heart. I’ve witnessed the steady decline of native fish populations—species that are not just endemic to our lake, but unique to this planet. The fear that they might vanish altogether is heartbreaking. My concern is not just about losing a livelihood; people are resilient, and we will adapt. What truly pains me is the possibility that these extraordinary creatures might disappear forever. That’s a loss for all of humanity.
Q: What challenges do you face, and how are you addressing them?
Motivated by this crisis, I’ve committed myself fully to lake stewardship. As president of my local fishers’ association, APESCARLA, I lead efforts to unite artisanal fishers in adopting sustainable practices: respecting closed seasons, using appropriate nets, and engaging in initiatives to restore and reproduce native fish species.
I also believe knowledge is crucial to change. That’s why I’ve pursued technical training in “Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology Development” at the Juli Technological Institute. Despite the 3-to-4-hour daily commute from my community, I’m in the final stretch of my studies. It’s a demanding path, but one I walk with conviction, knowing this knowledge will help safeguard our lake and our future.
Q: How does this initiative contribute to protecting the lake, and what are the plans for its development?
Since 2023, I’ve had the opportunity to join the team of young leaders supported by the Living Lakes Biodiversity and Climate project and the Binational Authority of Lake Titicaca (ALT). Being part of this network has been transformative. It has allowed me to share experiences and ideas with other young fishers and professionals from around the lake, strengthening our collective commitment to protecting our shared ecosystem.
Through training activities, leadership development, and exchange with peers, I’ve not only grown personally—I’ve found hope. Hope that we can recover what we’ve lost. Hope that our voices matter. My next step is to continue this journey through the Living Lakes Academy, where I aim to gain more tools to be an effective, respected leader—one who can advocate for the conservation of water and the preservation of our native fish, not just within my family and community, but across borders.
Lake Titicaca is more than a place. It’s our home, our culture, our legacy. And I am committed to ensuring that its biodiversity continues to thrive—for us, and for generations to come.
The LLBCP aims to strengthen local stewardship and restore lake ecosystems through knowledge exchange, community engagement, and innovative, nature-based solutions. For David, the project represents a source of hope—a way to reclaim a sustainable future for his lake, his people, and the biodiversity that defines them.
His next step is to join the Living Lakes Academy, continuing his journey to become a stronger advocate for freshwater conservation. His story reflects a broader truth: that meaningful climate action begins with empowering those closest to the ecosystems we must protect.
Through LLBCP, voices like David’s are not only heard—they are shaping the future of global lake restoration.
