The industrial fishing sector has been facing its worst crisis in the last 25 years, due to climatic anomalies. In this context, Eduardo Ferreyros, president of the SNP, tells us about the perspectives of the sector, as well as the union’s position regarding the independence of Imarpe.
-Do you share the request that the second season open on October 15?
-The entire industry, workers and the production chain hope that there will be a second fishing season. However, this is subject to the positive evolution of oceanographic conditions, a situation that is gradually occurring due to the strengthening of the South Pacific anticyclone, unlike what occurred in the first half of the year, where it was weakened and allowed the entry of warm waters.
-What consequences did canceling the first fishing season bring?
-It has generated serious impacts on fishing companies, on workers and their families, on the State, but above all on micro and small companies that provide services to the industrial fishing sector. Therefore, we can affirm that this sector has been going through one of the most critical moments in the last 25 years. This has been reflected in the figures presented by the MEF recently, which project a significant drop in the sector so far this year, which translates into around 1% of the national GDP.
-What would be lost if a second season does not open?
-Exports of fishmeal and fish oil obtained from anchovy generate around US$2.4 billion per year. Additionally, there is the impact that this represents on the entire production chain, around 3,500 small and medium-sized companies that depend on the industrial fishing sector, which generates around 250,000 direct and indirect jobs that would be at risk of not having a second season. .
-Climate anomalies are likely to continue. What is the fishing sector doing to adapt?
-We have been implementing contingency plans for several years, which has allowed the sector to deal with these climatic effects in the best way over the years. However, given the circumstances, the palliative measures to avoid the closure of units, the complete paralysis of all activities and services are running out; and if the situation continues, the measures that would have to be adopted would be much more serious.
-Should Emergency Decree No. 015 that seeks to reorganize Imarpe be repealed?
-The aforementioned DU does not meet the criteria of urgency, exceptionality, necessity, transience and connection, since it was issued without any technical support or serious evaluation and proposed modifications that do not respond to the needs of solid, modern and efficient management in Imarpe . In short, it is anti-technical and legally questionable.
-Should Imarpe be strengthened to carry out the biomass evaluation independently?
-Without a doubt it should be strengthened. However, the institution requires a larger budget to have the necessary resources to carry out its activity. It needs to be equipped with the best technology, and new research vessels that allow it to carry out hydrobiological resource evaluation activities continuously and without depending on any third party.
-What do you think about PL 5496 to expand Siforpa II?
-Following recent studies, it has been identified that the nominal and effective indicators of catches per unit of effort (CPUE) have been significantly reduced. This implies that fishermen have been making the same or greater fishing effort with lower results in catches. Therefore, it is unfeasible for a project like the proposed one to prosper. If so, the sustainability of resources and the livelihood of artisanal fishermen will be seriously affected.
Source: Larepublica
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