In this field video from a few years ago, ichthyologists Leonardo Dávila Panduro and Morgan Ruiz Tafur, along with Achuar community leader Sem Flores & Wampis community leader Fernando Shenkian, explain the value of #FishConservation research in the Morona River Basin of Peru.

The people of the indigenous Achuar and Wampis Nations live in northwestern Loreto, #Peru. #AmazonianFish play an integral role in their diet, economy, and culture, yet like many other forms of ancestral knowledge, the native names of these species are being lost over time.

Smithsonian researchers and partners worked with Achuar and Wampis communities to produce field guides that introduce the #Fish of Anazo Creek in the Morona River Basin to the world – not only with their scientific and Spanish names, but their indigenous names as well.

These guides are the first to be published in Peru with the languages of the Achuar and Wampis, and will be shared with the communities that helped make them to provide a published record of their traditional and cultural knowledge for future generations.

We’ll highlight a few notable species that the team found over the next few days! In the meantime, check the full guides out at these links:

Wampis guide: https://s.si.edu/2OywJQ3 
Achuar guide: https://s.si.edu/3s0aalR 

The presence of large doncella, known as Aikiam in the Achuar & Wampis languages, indicates that the ecosystem is in good condition. In turn, Aikiam are the main source of protein for local communities. A great example of how healthy landscapes = healthy people!

For decades, boquichico – known as Kánka in Achuar & Wampis – have been a key source of income and food. Research indicates that this species is reproducing in Anazo Creek – good news for the local communities maintaining their healthy traditional diet: https://s.si.edu/3oE74lb 

The odd-looking pez sapo is popular in the ornamental fish trade. Known as puwa chapip in Achuar and úunt chapip in Wampis, this species is generally declining but still found in parts of Anazo Creek, opening up sustainable management opportunities for local communities.