The Ministry of Production (Produces) updated the regulations of the General Fisheries Law through Supreme Decree No. [002-2025-PRODUCE] in compliance with Law No. 31749, which recognizes traditional, ancestral and artisanal fishing. The norm reinforces the protection of these activities within the five maritime miles and establishes measures to differentiate artisanal fishing from other modalities with a higher level of mechanization.
“With a modern and sustainable approach, we are closing spaces to illegal fishing through lighter regulations and ensuring that artisanal fishing continues to be a source of work and food for thousands of Peruvians,” said the Deputy Minister of Fishing and Aquaculture, Jesús Barrientos.
New details about artisanal fishing
The decree establishes that artisanal fishing must be carried out with predominance of manual work, using passive fishing arts or the art of manual fence. This differentiation seeks to distinguish artisanal fishing from other modalities that use assistance mechanisms, which can generate a greater impact on marine ecosystems.
Likewise, it is arranged that smaller -scale fishing vessels They will not be able to operate with mechanized fence networks within the three maritime milesan area that has been the cause of conflicts between artisanal fishermen and vessels with greater operational capacity.
However, this measure generates debate in regions such as the south of the country, where marine geography favors the presence of anchovy schools in areas near the coast. “That discussion is strong in southern Peru, because the continental socket approaches the coast and there the anchovy schools enter; in fact, the same thing happens in Chile, but there is allowed fishing from the three maritime miles,” said Juan Carlos León, an expert in international transport and logistics, to the Republic.
In addition, León warned that the true problem of sustainability in artisanal fishing is not only competition with mechanized vessels, but the uncontrolled growth of the artisanal fleetwithout an effective response from the authorities. “There is talk of informal shipyards, but in the end they end up validating by pressure and demagogy. That is a real threat to any resource,” he said.
The specialist also pointed out that another great pending challenge is the Health and safety of artisanal fishery products. “The State does not allocate funds to guarantee these standards with training to fishermen or control tools from capture, manipulation and preservation on board, to the cold chain in landing, transport and commercialization. It is necessary to better equip the docks and have experts in health and safety experts,” he explained.
Modifications in fishing permits
Among the most relevant changes, the decree eliminates the requirement of submitting a registration certificate with a current endorsement to obtain or renew a Fishing permit. This measure seeks to reduce bureaucracy and facilitate the access of artisanal fishermen to formalization, eliminating a procedure that previously hindered the renewal of permits for those who operate small boats.
In addition, it is established that fishing permits will expire if extractive activity is not demonstrated during two consecutive years. With this norm, the Government intends to avoid the accumulation of permits in the hands of people or companies that do not actively operate in the sector, promoting a more equitable use of marine resources.
The Supreme Decree also introduces changes in the Glossary of the Regulationin order to specify the differences between the various fishing arts. Specific definitions are incorporated for Passive and active fishing artsand a clear distinction is established between the manual and machining fence art.
This differentiation is key to regulate each type of fishing properly and prevent vessels with greater capacity from using techniques that may compromise the sustainability of fishery resources.
Source: Larepublica
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