Surf Life Saving Peru (SLSP) recognises that environmental degradation and water safety are inseparably linked. Polluted beaches, rivers, and estuaries not only damage ecosystems but directly increase risks to human health, tourism, fisheries, and coastal livelihoods.

SLSP’s environmental focus is designed to operate in parallel with lifesaving operations, combining prevention, monitoring, community engagement, and inter-institutional collaboration to support the long-term recovery and protection of Peru’s aquatic environments.

Environmental Context: Polluted Coastal Areas in Peru

Multiple beaches along the Peruvian coast have been identified as polluted or uninhabitable due to untreated wastewater discharge, industrial effluents, solid waste accumulation, and port-related contamination. These conditions pose serious risks to public health, marine ecosystems, and economic activity.

SLSP uses this data as a risk-prioritisation tool, guiding decisions on patrol deployment, environmental intervention, and community education.

Image Description – Environmental Context

A wide, hyper-realistic coastal image showing a polluted shoreline: visible outflow pipes near the beach, scattered plastic debris, and discoloured water. In the distance, fishing boats and urban infrastructure highlight the interface between human activity and environmental impact. The image is factual and documentary in tone, not sensationalised.

Identified Polluted Beaches by Region

Piura Region

• Colán Beach (Paita Province, Colán District)

  Impacted by untreated wastewater discharge and urban-industrial effluents.

• Parachique Beach (Sechura Province, Sechura District)

  Affected by solid waste accumulation and untreated effluents linked to fishing and shellfish activity.

Image Description – Piura

A realistic coastal scene in northern Peru showing artisanal fishing boats near shore, with visible waste accumulation along the waterline and nearby urban runoff points. The image reflects both economic activity and environmental stress.

Lambayeque Region

• Santa Rosa Beach (Chiclayo Province, Santa Rosa District)

  Contaminated by direct sewage discharge, resulting in odours and marine ecosystem damage.

• Puerto Eten Beach (Chiclayo Province, Eten District)

  Affected by industrial waste and untreated sewage impacting water quality.

Image Description – Lambayeque

A shoreline image showing calm seas contrasted with polluted water near discharge zones. Seabirds and marine life are present but sparse, reinforcing environmental imbalance without exaggeration.

La Libertad Region

• Huanchaco Beach (Trujillo Province, Huanchaco District)

  Solid waste and sewage contamination linked to tourism and urban growth.

• Buenos Aires Beach (Víctor Larco Herrera District)

  High bacterial contamination from untreated wastewater, unsafe for bathing.

• Las Delicias Beach (Moche District)

  Urban sewage directly discharged into the ocean.

• Salaverry Beach (Salaverry District)

  Industrial and port-related chemical and bacterial contamination.

Image Description – La Libertad

A mixed-use coastal image showing a popular tourist area transitioning into industrial port infrastructure. The contrast highlights the need for integrated environmental and safety management.

Ancash Region

• Vesique Beach (Chimbote District)

  Industrial pollution from fishing plants and inadequate wastewater treatment.

• Atahualpa Beach (Nuevo Chimbote District)

  Chemical waste contamination linked to factories and fisheries.

Image Description – Ancash

A realistic industrial coastline with fishing facilities near the shore, showing murky water and limited recreational use. The image conveys urgency while maintaining credibility.

Lima Region

• Agua Dulce Beach (Chorrillos District)

  Periodic bacterial contamination due to insufficient sanitation infrastructure.

• Playa Pescadores (Chorrillos District)

  Sewage discharge and accumulated trash affecting recreational safety.

Image Description – Lima

A heavily frequented urban beach scene with crowds and visible safety signage, contrasted with restricted swimming zones and visible waste, illustrating risk in high-use environments.

Ica Region

• Tambo de Mora Beach (Chincha Province, Tambo de Mora District)

  Polluted by sewage, solid waste, and agricultural and chemical runoff.

Image Description – Ica

A semi-rural coastline with agricultural land visible inland and debris along the shore, showing the link between inland activity and coastal impact.

SLSP Environmental Objectives

SLSP’s environmental plan focuses on risk reduction, recovery support, and prevention, aligned with public safety and sustainable development.

Core Environmental Objectives

• Reduce health risks caused by polluted water

• Support the recovery of degraded beaches and coastal ecosystems

• Improve safety outcomes through environmental monitoring

• Promote responsible use of coastal and marine resources

Image Description – Environmental Objectives

A proactive scene showing SLSP volunteers and lifeguards conducting environmental inspections, collecting samples, and documenting conditions using tablets and monitoring equipment at a patrol base.

Environmental Action Programs

Beach, River, and Estuary Clean-Ups

Regular clean-up operations conducted with communities, NGOs, and local authorities to remove solid waste and restore safer environments.

Image Description

Volunteers in SLSP uniforms collect waste along a shoreline at sunrise, with organised teams, gloves, bags, and safety supervision. The atmosphere is disciplined and purposeful.

Environmental Monitoring and Reporting

SLSP supports ongoing monitoring of water conditions, visible pollution, and risk factors, sharing information with relevant authorities to support remediation and enforcement.

Image Description

A lifeguard logs environmental observations on a digital device while monitoring tide and water conditions. Charts and flags are visible in the background, reinforcing operational integration.

Community Environmental Education

Educational campaigns targeting schools, fishing communities, tourism operators, and visitors to promote responsible behaviour and environmental awareness.

Image Description

An SLSP educator speaks with community members near fishing boats, using visual aids to explain pollution impacts and safe practices. The interaction is respectful and collaborative.

Integration with Public Institutions and NGOs

SLSP works in coordination with environmental and maritime authorities, including:

• MINAM

• SERNANP

• IMARPE

• SPDA

• Oceana Perú

• Regional and Municipal Governments

This coordination ensures that lifesaving, environmental protection, and policy action reinforce each other, rather than operating in isolation.

Image Description – Institutional Collaboration

A multi-agency meeting scene with representatives from environmental authorities, SLSP leadership, and NGOs reviewing maps, reports, and action plans related to coastal zones.

Socio-Economic Justification

International studies on Surf Life Saving Australia demonstrate that environmental protection and water safety generate significant socio-economic returns, including:

• Reduced public health costs

• Lower emergency response expenditure

• Increased tourism confidence

• Improved community wellbeing

SLSP adopts this integrated approach to ensure environmental action is economically defensible, socially beneficial, and operationally sustainable.

Image Description – Socio-Economic Impact

A revitalised beach scene showing families, tourism activity, and visible lifesaving patrols, representing the positive outcomes of coordinated safety and environmental intervention.

Conclusion

SLSP’s environmental plan is not separate from its lifesaving mission—it is fundamental to it.

By addressing pollution, supporting recovery, and promoting responsible coastal use, SLSP strengthens:

• Public safety

• Environmental sustainability

• Community health

• Economic resilience

Through evidence-based action and collaboration, SLSP contributes to a future where Peru’s beaches are safer, cleaner, and capable of supporting thriving communities and ecosystems.

Image Description – Conclusion

A hopeful closing image showing a clean beach at dawn, SLSP flags standing in the sand, calm water, and volunteers preparing for patrol—symbolising stewardship, responsibility, and long-term commitment.

Reference Note:

Socio-Economic Reports and Impact Studies from Surf Life Saving Australia are referenced as comparative benchmarks demonstrating the measurable public value of integrated lifesaving and environmental systems.