Peruvian authorities have announced that the first season for the industrial catch of its anchovy fishery will start on 4 May, with a set capture quota of 2.1 million tons.
In a press statement, Peru’s Minister of Production Rocìo Barros announced the start of the first of two seasons for its Engraulis ringens anchovy and the Anchoa nasus white anchovy species. The government has published the resolution to start the season, and exploratory fishing began on 28 April, and will run through 3 May.
Following recommendations from the government run Peruvian Institute of the Sea (IMARPE), officials set the capture quota at 2.1 million tons. Studies of the resource in the north and central zone of the country found a biomass of 7 million tons. This figure comes in “post-El Niño” weather conditions, which officials said show a slight impact of the weather on the resource biomass. The anchovy registered an average size of 4.5 centimeters.
The fishing season will last until the capture quota has been exhausted, or when its scientific vessels note a high presence of young fish.
The statement also clarified that a new tax rate will not be applied until the second industrial anchovy season. The government is looking to increase its take from the anchovy fishery, to increase its budget to manage the fishing business and fund more research and control measures.
According to a previous statement, the government will increase its tax rate to 0.54 percent of the FOB value per ton of anchovy. The Produce Ministry said that this will not affect the competitiveness or profitability of the industry.
Authorities expect that this tax will net them PEN 112 million (USD 33.8 million, EUR 30.2 million) annually. Of this, 50 percent will be destined for regional and local governments where the activity takes place, and the other 50 percent will go to the ministry to finance research, traceability, planning, and development activities.
