Anchoveta has a wide geographical distribution in the South Eastern Pacific Ocean, from Zorritos (4°30’ S) in Northern Peru to Chiloé (42°30’ S) in Southern Chile (Serra et al., 1979). There are three different anchoveta (Engraulis ringens) stocks (Cahuin et al., 2015):

1. the Northern-Central Peruvian stock, managed by Peru;
2. the Southern Peru/Northern Chile stock, managed by both Peru and Chile, and,
3. the “Central-Southern Chile stock”, managed by Chile.

There is some evidence based on reproductive population parameters that two independent populations may exist in Central-Southern Chile (Canales and Leal, 2009); however, it is more likely, based on genetic and other studies, that there is only one stock (Ferrada et al., 2002; Cahuin et al., 2015). Still, Chilean authorities assess and manage anchoveta as different fishery units: as a central or Regions III and IV unit (Atacama and Coquimbo) and as a southern or Regions V to X unit (from Valparaíso to Los Lagos). In the latter unit, the anchoveta constitutes a mixed fishery with Araucanian herring.