Protected totorales north of Huanchaco. These totorales are small restored wetlands currently in conservation. This is where the totoras grow, which are used to make the caballitos, the small boats used by fishermen for over 3,000 years and up to present day. Despite being protected by law, they are still in danger from beach erosion, development, pollution, and vandalism.
Huanchaco's economy is based mostly around tourism, surviving on the throngs of visitors that visit its beaches. In recent decades, approximately 30 meters of beach have been covered with water from rising sea levels.
