The Ministry of Production announced on Apr. 28 that the first anchoveta fishing season in Peru’s north-central zone is being managed with advanced technology, real-time reporting, and targeted preventive closures to ensure sustainability and protect jobs.
This approach is significant because it aims to balance economic activity with the preservation of marine resources. The Ministry said that as of April 26, a total of 439,535 tons of anchoveta had been caught, representing 23% of the assigned quota for the season. Incidental capture of juvenile fish was estimated at 167,542 tons, which officials say remains within projected ranges set by the Instituto del Mar del Perú (IMARPE).
Officials explained that the presence of juveniles in catches is common due to natural overlap between young and adult fish populations. They noted that “a healthy presence of juveniles often reflects a successful recruitment process,” contributing to future biomass renewal. With electronic logbooks now mandatory for vessels, data on incidental catches are reported in real time to IMARPE. This enables more accurate biological assessments and timely decisions aimed at maintaining spawning biomass above reference levels.
The ministry has established a maximum incidental catch limit for juveniles at 488,000 tons; if this threshold is reached during the season, fishing will be automatically suspended to protect resource renewal. Unlike previous management models based on broad closures or punitive measures—which sometimes led crews to discard juvenile fish at sea—the current system emphasizes adaptive management with focused area closures when high juvenile incidence is detected.
According to the official website, the Ministry promotes social inclusion initiatives and improved living conditions for fishermen across Peru while serving producers and communities nationwide through multiple facilities in San Isidro, Lima—including its central headquarters and business development centers. The Ministry operates under its minister’s guidance as Peru’s governing body for national policies in fishing, aquaculture, micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), issuing regulations designed to strengthen sustainable development across these sectors.
The Peruvian model has received international recognition from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which described it as a world-class example after evaluating its fisheries governance practices—citing continuous monitoring systems and clear biological rules among key strengths according to official sources. This support highlights Peru’s role as a global leader in sustainable fishmeal production while operating under strict ecological guidelines.
