Alfonso Miranda: “We must be careful that (the anchovy) is not going to be affected”

The president of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Committee of the SNI, Alfonso Miranda, explained that, from his perspective, the most important thing regarding the second anchovy fishing season is that if juveniles are found, closure measures be taken immediately. In addition, he pointed out the factors that are having a negative impact on the squid resource, the star product of direct human consumption (CHD).

-Should the second fishing season have been authorized without the exploration having been completed?

-There has been a formal error, which reveals the great disorganization of the State, but the most important thing is that the Imarpe report has already appeared, which indicates that, apparently, Yes, the conditions would be met to authorize the second fishing season. And what we must do is be careful that resources are not going to be affected and that as soon as there is any presence of youth, as apparently there already was, immediate closure measures are taken.

-What has been the performance of CHD species?

-Despite the fact that in August there is a 10.7% drop in fishing CHDwhich is considerable and is the trend in the second part of the year, we could close 2023 between 18% and 20% better in total F.O.B. of exports than last year. But this is due to the extraordinary performance of the first months of this year, as there has been a notable decline starting in May and June.

-Squid is the main export resource, right?

-Yes, correct, the squid is normally between 45% and 55% of what Peruvian exports are for CHD.

-As a result of El Niño, there would be greater availability of other resources: how to take advantage of them?

-Towards the end of the year there would be an increase in horse mackerel, bonito, tuna, fan shells, prawns and other species from warm seas. It is very important that the State gives Imarpe all the mechanisms that allow it to make the appropriate recommendations to take management measures that allow taking advantage of this fishing, which is an opportunity.

-Regarding the drop in catches in CHD, what is it due to?

-The decrease in fishing in Peru coincides with the fact that Chinese ships have been allowed to enter without having a satellite device that mandates Peruvian regulations and that could, according to some artisanal fishermen, be due to the fact that these boats are fishing within the Peruvian marine domain and that, in addition, they are doing logistics here, that is, their work is being facilitated without complying with the regulations. that is current, which is DS 016-2020.

-What are the authorities doing about it?

-Unfortunately, what I have seen are very complacent authorities and we already see that as of June of this year, more than 120 boats Chinese companies have entered Peruvian ports without having the satellite device.

-Meanwhile, we are looking to expand the fleet that captures squid, right?

-Added to the effects of El Niño, Congressman Bernardo Pazo’s bill could have a devastating effect, as it seeks to add 2,000 vessels to the squid fleet, which is a resource declared fully exploited by Imarpe.

-What do you think about Produce’s position?

-I am concerned that Produce has rather a contradictory position. If he already Ministry of the Environment spoke out against it, as well as other organizations in the sector, such a project would not have to prosper, even worse when the construction of boats is prohibited and when the formalization programs have already concluded.

-The fact that such a proposal exists already has an impact…

-That’s right, if we go to the north, especially to Piura, in all the ports we find hundreds of boats being built and this is what has led to this rule and the ambiguous position of Produce. We want Minister Ana María Choquehuanca to become aware of this soon. and resolve this before it costs more to the sector and the preservation of resources.