They will approve exploratory fishing that anticipates a second fishing season

“Let’s hope this doesn’t cost me criticism, because I’m sure they’ll see it,” would have been the words of the highest authority of the Ministry of Production (Produce), Ana María Choquehunca, after announcing that the ministerial resolution will be published. to authorize the start of exploratory fishing of anchovy for this Friday, October 20, during the work meeting he held with businessmen from the fishing sector and other State officials.

Imarpe endorses decision

In this meeting, held last Monday the 16th around 4 pm, the National Fisheries Society (SNP), the José Olaya Balandra Fishermen’s Union, the National Association of Fishing Shipowners (ANAP) of Law 26920, the vice minister of Pesca, Úrsula León Chempén, among others, according to the Produce registry.

Although it is not officially stated, Choquehuanca would also have participated, as well as Jorge Paz, president of the Board of Directors of the Institute of the Sea of ​​Peru (Imarpe), and Renato Guevara, scientific executive director of the aforementioned entity.

The meeting was the continuation of the one held on October 10, in which all those mentioned also participated “to analyze the fishing situation in the face of the climatic conditions that affect the Peruvian coast,” according to what the entity reported at the time.

This time, Imarpe presented a preliminary report supporting why exploratory fishing could be given the green light, according to the leader Merardo Vite Zeta, a participant in the meeting.

“(Imarpe reported) that the Kelvin wave that was about to arrive this month has not been so intense, perhaps the South Pacific anticyclone has helped cool the sea. And an important point that gives them peace of mind as much as it does us is that there is a decline in anchovy spawning. […] In addition, there are 12 centimeter fashions in some areas,” Vite told this medium.

He added that the quota to be assigned was not specified, but with the proposed dates they will have time to prepare. In fact, they have had more time, since companies such as TASA, Copeinca and Pesquera Capricornio have published job calls since October 10 offering positions related to anchovy extraction.

For Antony Apeño, a marine biologist at CooperAcción, this type of hiring is “alarming” when in the first part of the year different layoffs had to be resorted to. Furthermore, he is surprised that it is being carried out as if the sector was already sure that there will be a second season.

Given conditions?

Apeño recalls that exploratory fishing has “the purpose of being able to give us information about the resource” to determine if a fishing season is viable, and in his opinion the conditions have not yet been met because sea temperatures are constantly changing—due to El Niño—and this is affecting the anchovy. According to the latest EFEN statement, “it is more likely that strong warm conditions will continue until December.”

Along these lines, fisheries engineer Elmer Nieves maintains that, although exploratory fishing is used globally, “the impact on the environment and resources is high, which is why it must be done responsibly with a smaller number of vessels and for the minimum number of days, perhaps maximum four days. The excess and abuse of this technique can be seen as little by little what is illegal is being legalized,” he says.

Sector crisis

In August, the fishing sector presented an increase in its production of 49%, sustained by the greater capture of species for direct and indirect human consumption, according to the latest report from the INEI, after three consecutive months of sharp falls (see infographic). .

Indirect human consumption skyrocketed by 417.87%, due to the greater tonnage captured of anchovy, which went from 35,295 metric tons
Source: Larepublica

Alia

Alia is a professional author and journalist, working at 247 news agency. She writes on various topics from economy news to general interest pieces, providing readers with relevant and informative content. With years of experience, she brings a unique perspective and in-depth analysis to her work.