Drummond restocks fish in the El Zorro and Platanal Creeks in Becerril, Cesar

La Loma, October 28, 2022

* Armando Calvano, Biodiversity and Environmental Compensation Manager at Drummond Ltd., restocking bocachico fry.

As part of its compensation processes with the communities in its area of influence, Drummond Ltd. restocked fish once again, this time 250,000 bocachica in the El Zorro and Platanal Creeks, located in La Guajirita, municipality of Becerril, Cesar.

This activity supports the ecosystem and increases the fish population, and was organized with participation from the National Authority for Aquaculture and Fishing (AUNAP), the Autonomous Regional Corporation of Cesar (Corpocesar), the Mayor of Becerril, the Fauna Caribe Colombiana Foundation (FFCC), the Community Action Board of La Guajirita, and representatives from Drummond Ltd.

“We are releasing bocachico based on impacts that could possibly be caused by mining on the fish populations of the El Zorro and Platanal Creeks. In a joint effort, therefore, with Corpocesar and the National Authority for Aquaculture and Fishing (AUNAP), we reached a consensus on the sites for releasing these juvenile fish to comply with the requirement of the National Authority for Environmental Licenses (ANLA) in the framework of our biotic compensations. With this, we will make a contribution to the restoration of the El Zorro and Platanal Creeks with a species people like to consume in this region of the country,” stated Armando Calvano, Biodiversity and Environmental Compensation Manager at Drummond Ltd.

Restocking mitigates and compensates possible changes in fish populations in the El Zorro and Platanal Creeks in the Department of Cesar. This species was selected by the AUNAP, ANLA, Corpocesar, and Drummond Ltd. because it is threatened and because it is important for the nutritional and financial security of the region’s inhabitants.

“We’re grateful to Drummond for its contribution. We hope in the future the community can feed itself from those fish, and that they can be used for businesses, so people can benefit financially,” emphasized Hermes Molina, representative of the community of La Guajirita, in Becerril, Cesar.

There have already been several releases like this one by Drummond Ltd. as a contribution under the Comprehensive Development pillar of its CSR strategy, and in line with three of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals: Zero Hunger, Economic Growth, and Life on Land.