Peruvian authorities estimate that illegal and unauthorized fishing generates annual revenues of some USD 500 million (EUR 583.4 million) annually, but they are aiming to reduce that figure over coming years.
Peru’s Ministry of Production (PRODUCE) has issued two legislative decrees in September designed to formalize the industry, and its minister, Raúl Pérez-Reyes, has made appeals to the public and to the country’s congress to assist in its efforts to deal with illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
So far in 2018, the authority has seized more than 7,400 MT of seafood products and performed more than 123,000 inspections. According to a ministry statement, the efforts to curb activities come as the fishery sector posts continued growth. Between January and July 2018, fishery production has increased by 25.9 percent, with 4.8 million metric tons (MT) of total landings. Exports of fish products were valued at USD 2.83 billion (EUR 3.3 billion) in 2017, and in 2018, authorities expect it to total USD 2.84 billion (EUR 3.31 billion).
The minister’s address came less that a week following the two new decrees. According to a statement, the first creates incentives and standards to formalize the country’s artisan fisheries. This creates a formalization process for boats over a certain size (6.38 tonnage) that will go into effect next year.
In addition, the measure establishes legal tools for authorities to disrupt not just illegal fishing, but the infrastructure that supports it, including facilities that design and build unregistered boats. And the new regulations create a communications channel for the various agencies to enable them to work together in closer harmony.
The release did not specify how much the government expects to reduce the illegal industry, although a report in La Republica said it aims to decrease that USD 500 million number by 30 percent, or USD 150 million (EUR 175 million), in two years.
Photo courtesy of PRODUCE
