Millions of shorebirds travel vast distances yearly along the Pacific Americas Flyway. From the Arctic tundra to the wetlands of southern South America, these species depend on a network of coastal sites to rest, feed, and breed. With its extensive beaches, wetlands, and estuaries, Chile plays a crucial role in this journey, providing essential habitat for their survival.
One of these key sites is the Mataquito-Huenchullamí coastal system, located between the municipalities of Licantén and Curepto in the Maule Region. This area stands out for its ecological value and rich cultural heritage and the opportunity it represents to link conservation with sustainable development. Recently, the site was designated a “Regional Importance Site” within the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN), and it has also earned international recognition as a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA), a priority site in the Pacific Americas Shorebird Conservation Strategy, and an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA).
Where the river meets the sea, aerial view of the mouth of the Huenchullamí river. Photo: Juan Silva
Mataquito-Huenchullamí: A Vital Refuge
The area spans over 900 hectares of wetlands, beaches, dunes, and coastal lagoons. Its diverse habitats make it a critical breeding and wintering site for the pitanay subspecies of the American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus pitanay), which relies on the site for at least 6% of its biogeographic population. The Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus), a long-distance migratory species, has also been recorded in numbers exceeding 1,500 individuals.
Despite its natural richness, the area has historically lacked formal protection. But a new chapter is unfolding, thanks to a collaborative effort involving local communities, conservation organizations, and Chilean authorities.
Conservation with Local Identity
For over 100 years, local communities have practiced artisanal fishing in this area, passing down traditional knowledge and techniques through generations. Today, small-scale aquaculture coexists with this tradition, alongside a growing commitment to conserving natural resources in a sustainable way.
Over the past two years, Manomet Conservation Sciences—through its Flyways Program—has helped drive a collaborative conservation process alongside Chile’s Ministry of the Environment, the Chilean Bird and Wildlife Observation Network (ROC), and the municipalities of Licantén and Curepto.
International Recognition: A Step Toward Official Protection
In May 2024, Mataquito-Huenchullamí was officially designated as a “Regional Importance Site” within WHSRN, becoming the tenth WHSRN site in Chile. This designation brought international visibility to the site’s ecological importance and helped catalyze a participatory conservation process with local communities.
Daniela de la Jara, Regional Ministerial Secretary for the Environment in the Maule Region, explains: “The international recognition of the site’s biological value allowed us to launch a local conservation initiative, to achieve protected area status to safeguard conservation targets that are highly valued by the local community.”
Left: American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus). Photo: Juan Carlos Carreño Rojas. Right: Workshops in the municipalities of Curepto and Licantén to facilitate access to information and community consultation. Photo: ROC
Towards a Multiple-Use Conservation Area (ACMU)
With the support of ROC and Manomet, the Ministry of the Environment has begun participatory workshops with the communities of Licantén and Curepto to advance the formal declaration of the site as a Multiple-Use Conservation Area (ACMU). This new protected area category in Chile aims to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources through integrated management.
Diego Luna Quevedo, Policy and Governance Specialist at Manomet, says: “By conserving this key shorebird site along the Pacific Flyway, we are also protecting critical ecosystem services that support the resilience and livelihoods of local communities. This work also opens the door for the development of small-scale ecotourism and nature-based enterprises.”
Science and Citizen Engagement
Over the past two years, summer and winter bird counts have been conducted across 28 monitoring zones within the site, with the participation of 17 volunteers. These efforts have documented nearly 19,000 shorebirds representing 12 species—7 of which are long-distance migrants. In addition, concrete conservation actions have been implemented to protect the breeding habitat of the American Oystercatcher, such as fencing, signage, and the presence of beach monitors.
Franco Villalobos, Coordinator of the Waterbirds and Wetlands Program at ROC, warns: “This species is classified as ‘Near Threatened’ in Chile, and in some areas along the coast, its breeding success is nearly zero due to off-road vehicles and unleashed dogs.”
A Shared, Sustainable, and Protected Future
In the coming months, the formal application for ACMU designation is expected to be submitted, based on agreements reached with local stakeholders. The goal is to effectively protect water bodies, dunes, shorebirds, artisanal fisheries, and sites of archaeological and historical significance—securing benefits for current and future generations.
Left: Franco Villalobos and Diego Luna Quevedo during the community visits. Photo: ROC. Mixed flock at Mataquito-Huenchullamí WHSRN site. Photo: Juan Carlos Carreño Rojas
For more information, please contact Diego Luna Quevedo at diego.luna@manomet.org
Cover Photo: Whimbrels at Mataquito-Huenchullamí WHSRN site. Photo: Juan Carlos Carreño Rojas
