Peru’s eel fishery has become the first in the country to achieve Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification.
The achievement comes after the fishery steadily made improvements starting in 2021, implementing enhanced monitoring systems and more effective management procedures that drove improved scientific understanding of eel stocks.
MSC particularly highlighted the fishery’s main developments, including the implementation of an onboard observer program and more stringent fisheries regulations such as minimum catch sizes and gear restrictions, as key reasons why it was able to secure certification.
“This is an historic moment for Peru. The certification of this fishery demonstrates that with solid science, collaborative work, and genuine commitment, it is possible to transform the way we use our marine resources,” MSC Program Director for Latin America Cristian Vallejos said in a release. “This achievement not only benefits the ocean but also the communities that depend on fishing, opening new opportunities in markets that increasingly value sustainability.”
Peru’s eel fishers also introduced management measures in order to protect areas with high populations of young eels, as well as areas where eels reproduce. Part of those measures include actions to rotate resting zones and making critical habitats such as mangroves permanently off-limits.
Further, the fishery introduced a rigorous traceability system, employing digital reporting of catch and landings, in order to ensure transparency throughout the supply chain.
During the process, fishing companies and seafood processors Perupez and Sakana worked closely with scientists, the Peruvian Sea Institute (Imarpe), and the Production Ministry (PRODUCE) to advance in the MSC certification process.
Additionally, MSC’s Ocean Stewardship Fund and investment advisory firm Clarmondial created a new loan guarantee facility, which helped to free up additional funding with Banco de Crédito del Perú (BCP). This funding helped to finance critical improvements such as the observer program and data systems.
MSC said that with this certification, the Peruvian eel fishery joins a growing global network of certified fisheries, reinforcing the country’s role in advancing sustainable seafood production.
Elsewhere in Peru, it was recently announced that the nation’s anchovy small-scale purse seine fishery had begun the process of securing MSC certification, with two companies – Compañía Americana de Conservas and Corporación Leribe – moving to advance in the certification process.
