Tales of an Old Diver from Salango, Ecuador

In the village of Salango near Puerto Lopez, right on the highway, is the home of a great diver, Don Humberto.

He no longer dives, but there are many stories of his incredible experience exploring the seabed, some of which we present to you...
Every night I go out to the ocean shore. Gentle rays of sunlight caress my face and the breeze gently ruffles my gray hair... I look at the sea, at the white foam of the waves, and my memory fades away, transporting me to the past, when I was young and strong, when I could dive... oh, those times will never return, only the pleasant memory of the great moments I experienced remains.
I grew up in a family of fishermen; my father was a fisherman from a young age. I want to share some of my stories, full of adventure, excitement, and risk, but which still leave me with the pleasant sensation of adrenaline rushing through my body when I think back to that time.

 The indigenous people of these lands, representatives of the oldest cultures in the Americas — the Valdivia and the Manteña — were outstanding navigators and fishermen. Their legacy continues to thrive in the 21st century. Archaeological findings in the area of Puerto López and neighboring Salango prove that humans have lived here for more than five thousand years, and that fishing and the gathering of mollusks formed the foundation of their existence. The people of Puerto López, just like their ancestors, live from the sea, its products, and its wealth. Today, tourism, ecotourism, and artisanal fishing constitute the main sources of employment and income for the local population.

 The predominant activity is artisanal fishing (pesca artesanal). Every day, all the fishermen of the canton set out in small boats in search of their catch in the vast Pacific Ocean. Wooden boats with oars and sail rafts have almost disappeared. Nowadays, fishermen use modern fiberglass vessels equipped with outboard motors, allowing them to cover great distances in a short time. Most often, the boats leave in the evening to fish during the night and return at dawn to the beach of Puerto López. They use modern fishing gear such as bottom longlines, trammel nets, cast nets, and occasionally harpoons. The most valued species in the catch are corvina, camotillo, and cabezudo. These fish are highly appreciated by both local residents and tourists who come here seeking the authentic taste of fresh seafood cuisine.

Parishes and precincts in Canton of Puerto Daniel López