Daniel Caceres

Daniel Cáceres Bartra is a marine biologist, conservationist, and ocean advocate from Peru. He is the Latin America Representative of Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) and founder of SOA Peru, the country's largest youth-led ocean conservation network. Daniel has extensive experience in marine protected areas, deep-sea mining policy, and whale conservation. He has been a key figure in ocean diplomacy, leading successful campaigns to shift national positions on marine issues, including deep-sea mining moratoriums in Latin America.
As a former participant in the Darwin200 program, Daniel contributed his expertise in marine ecosystems, leveraging his background in marine mammal research, reef identification, and ocean literacy. His work focuses on protecting ocean biodiversity, including his role as a Mission Blue co-champion for the Tropical Sea of Peru Hope Spot.
Daniel is a member of The Explorers Club, a Peace Boat Ambassador, and a Population Matters Earth Champion. His passion for ocean conservation extends to public policy, where he has advised decision-makers on sustainable ocean governance. He continues to inspire young leaders worldwide, advocating for innovative, science-based solutions to protect marine ecosystems and combat climate change.

LOCATION:	Talcahuano	AREA OF STUDY:	Marine otter
NATIONALITY:	Peru	SPONSOR:	Centro Estudios Mastozoologia Marina
FILMMAKER:	Josh Clarke

START DATE:	22nd February
END DATE:	5th March
LOCATION:	Talcahuano
END POINT:	Peru

AREA OF STUDY:	Marine otter
SPONSOR:	Centro Estudios Mastozoologia Marina
FILMMAKER:	Josh Clarke

Area of Study: Marine Otter

Daniel’s video on sea otters, created for the Darwin 200 program, explored the past, present, and future of these keystone marine mammals. The video began by depicting the pre-human era, when sea otters thrived along coastal ecosystems, playing a vital role in maintaining kelp forest health by controlling sea urchin populations.

In the present-day section, Daniel examined the impact of human activities, from the devastating effects of the fur trade—where sea otter populations were nearly wiped out—to modern threats like climate change, pollution, and habitat degradation. He highlighted ongoing conservation efforts, including protected areas, rehabilitation programs, and stricter regulations, emphasizing both successes and remaining challenges.

Looking toward the future, Daniel stressed that true conservation goes beyond protecting individual species—it requires safeguarding entire ecosystems. He argued that for humans and sea otters to coexist, we must prioritize habitat restoration, sustainable coastal management, and stronger marine policies. His video delivered a powerful message: protecting sea otters is inseparable from protecting the environments they depend on, and achieving long-term conservation requires a holistic approach that integrates science, policy, and community engagement.