Peru’s Ministry of Production (PRODUCE) has put an indefinite halt to anchoveta fishing in the country’s north-central region due to the presence of a high number of juveniles in the area.
The region has been closed to fishing since 21 December. A study conducted between 21 and 31 December confirmed the presence of the juveniles, resulting in the ban being extended indefinitely for the area up to 30 miles out from the coast between Trujillo and Nazca.
"The measure will be in force until there is scientific evidence of a decrease in the incidence of juveniles in this area, on which the Institute of the Sea of Peru (IMARPE) will report in due course," PRODUCE said in a statement.
A separate announcement, made 4 January, said scientists in three vessels were conducting a five-day study to gather more information as to the distribution and concentration of anchoveta in the area. The study is set to conclude on 8 January and at that time, a decision will be made as to whether to reopen the fishery.
Rodolfo Cornejo, the scientist in charge of the expedition, said it is possible that weather and climactic conditions are dispersing adult anchoveta to deeper areas as they search for colder waters near their preferred temperature range of between 14 and 19 degrees Celsius. In contrast, juvenile anchoveta are suspected to have traveled toward Peru’s coastline, where the bulk of the country’s fishing fleet operates.
“With studies such as acoustic prospecting we will determine distribution, anchovy concentration, as well as size distribution, recruitment, and spawning process, this mission will obtain useful scientific information about the anchovy fishery resource,” Cornejo said.
In an interview with SeafoodSource, Pablo Trapunsky, the CEO of Pesquera Diamante, which fishes for anchoveta in Peru, said the country's fleet would have difficulty fulfilling the large quota granted this year.
“Currently, we have high salinity water close to the shore, and anchovies are very sensitive to salinity content. Temperatures are OK but the problem is the salinity. They spread out and don’t form the large schools so that makes them harder to catch,” Trapunsky said. “Roughly 90 percent of all the fishing fleet is operating in the same area in the north of Peru, and so far this has been the only area [for catchment] since the beginning of the season. The average catch per day for the whole fishing fleet has not met expectations. So it’s complicated.”
Photo courtesy of Peru’s Ministry of Production (PRODUCE)
