omaida rangel is a fisherwoman. she and her seven children live on the island of barrancones. local fisherfolk are well aware that the ciÉnega is suffering. omaida: there used to be many, many more fish. huge fish. in general, there was much more wildlife. but lots of species have died out. they've just disappeared. there are species that younger genenerations don't know becaue they don't exist any more. reporter: there are many proboblems besetngng the ciÉne. and mostst of them arere causey deforerestation, trerees cut toe waway for palm oilillantation, and the ensuing aridity. jungle has also been replaced by pastureland for cattlele. anand then therere's the incred frequencofof el niÑo e events, which dry y out trees and d ree the ciÉnega's watater levels. nature i is mpletelyly out of kilter. locacals are lookikingr solutions. omaida has joined forces with other fishermen and women and founded an association to protect the biotope with more sustainable fishing practices. they now use smaller nets with a larger mesh to avoid over-fishing, and to ensure stocks can replenish.