No, extracting sand from Peru’s beaches violates environmental laws unless authorized. The Peruvian government classifies sand as a non-renewable resource under the Ley General del Ambiente (Law No. 28611), and unauthorized removal triggers penalties under the Código Penal (Art. 304) and Ley de Recursos Naturales (Decreto Legislativo No. 613). Recent 2026 amendments to Decreto Supremo No. 005-2023-MINAM tighten enforcement, classifying coastal extraction as a prosecutable offense.
Key Regulations for Taking Sand from the Beach in Peru
- Environmental Protection Framework: Sand extraction is prohibited under Ley No. 26821 (Ley Orgánica para el Aprovechamiento Sostenible de los Recursos Naturales), which designates beaches as protected zones unless licensed for scientific or public works.
- Criminal Liability: Unauthorized removal exceeding 50 kg constitutes a misdemeanor under Decreto Legislativo No. 1278 (2016), punishable by fines up to 1,800 UIT (≈$2.1M USD) or imprisonment for 2–4 years, per Código Penal Art. 304.
- Local Enforcement: The Organismo de Evaluación y Fiscalización Ambiental (OEFA) and regional governments (e.g., Gobierno Regional de Piura) conduct patrols, with 2025–2026 operations seizing 12,000+ tons of illegally extracted sand in Tumbes and Ancón.