The Vice Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Jesús Barrientos, led a technical meeting with artisanal squid (pota) fishers in Piura on March 20 to discuss ways to strengthen the sector’s competitiveness and ensure sustainable use of resources through responsible management and regulation.
The meeting brought together officials from the Ministry of Production and leaders from the artisanal fishing community. The main topics included measures to continue fishing activities, improve resource utilization, and address challenges such as rising costs for fuel, freight, and ice that are affecting the industry.
“The future of pota depends on all of us. It depends on how we take care of it today, that we respect the rules, and that we assume responsibility for orderly and sustainable fishing. Only then will we ensure that this activity continues to generate opportunities for thousands of families,” Barrientos said during his remarks.
Barrientos also highlighted that next year will be crucial for the future of squid fishing within the framework of the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization (OROP-PS), where new regulatory measures will be determined.
“Peru will continue defending its interests in international forums. The year 2027 will be important at OROP-PS, and we will arrive with a solid position based on scientific evidence and our sector’s commitment to sustainability,” he said.
With this meeting, the Ministry of Production reaffirmed its commitment to building solutions directly with local stakeholders to promote a more formalized, regulated, competitive, and sustainable artisanal fishing sector.
