RECOMMENDATIONS
Last updated on 25 May 2017
Recommendations to Retailers & Supply Chain
- Advocate for the development of annual stock assessments that incorporate improved catch data and consider the effects of environmental variability on the population. Stock assessment results should be peer reviewed and publically reported.
- Request the government of Peru to develop a long-term management plan for the fishery with an explicit harvest strategy and reference points that take into account the key role of anchoveta in the ecosystem.
- Work with scientists and managers to improve reporting of catches and discards, as well as interactions with habitats and all types of bycatch.
Last updated on 12 April 2017
The Marine Research Institute of Peru (IMARPE) is the scientific institution responsible for the monitoring of fisheries and stock assessments in Peru. Before 2010, stock assessments were carried out using virtual population analysis (Díaz, 2009). The most recent modeled stock assessments publicly available are exploratory models published after a peer review by an international panel of experts (IMARPE, 2010b). Since then, stock status is assessed based on real-time monitoring; which consists on direct biomass estimates and distribution from acoustic surveys prior each fishing season, and monitoring of oceanographic conditions, samplings for size structure and reproductive and somatic conditions, before and during fishing seasons, to account for the rapid fluctuations in the natural biomass of this resource (e.g. IMARPE, 2014b-d; 2015b-d; 2016b,c). These indicators are complemented in some occasions with trophic data and egg/larval quantification (IMARPE 2016; IMARPE 2016).
IMARPE reported that direct biomass estimates may be insufficient during abnormal environmental conditions, when anchoveta are at greater depths and become less detectable using the traditionally applied acoustic method (IMARPE, 2015c,d) and survey frequency is increased.
An external technical audit by FAO experts concluded that there is a high standard scientific support towards the management of fisheries in Peru, however, it was recommended the use of a stock assessment model to determine the stock status and provide alternative approaches to calculate the advised quota (FAO, 2014). IMARPE applied a population balance model as an alternative method to compare direct estimates, due to high uncertainty associated to highly variable environmental conditions and since 2015, IMARPE is presenting alternative catch levels (decision tables) taking into account different environmental scenarios, exploitation rates and biomass remnants (IMARPE, 2015d; IMARPE 2016; IMARPE 2016).
Last updated on 12 April 2017
Before each fishing season, and based on hydroacoustic surveys, IMARPE gives out the catch advice following a protocol (IMARPE 2016). IMARPE also recommends actions through real-time monitoring of oceanographic conditions, size structure and reproductive conditions of anchoveta during the fishing season (IMARPE 2016).
When abundance is lower than historical averages and environmental conditions are unstable, intensified monitoring, e.g. extra surveys are requested (EUR-OCEANS, 2008; IMARPE, 2014d; 2015d). A strong El Niño affected the Peruvian coast during 2015 and early 2016, thus, three hydroacoustic surveys were conducted in 2016. In May, warm unfavorable conditions still remained and low biomass was observed, thus IMARPE recommended to delay the first fishing season. In June, normalization of oceanographic conditions, higher biomass estimates and wider spatial distribution of the stock allowed the IMARPE to recommend the opening of the season. In November, normal to colder conditions and average biomass estimate allowed IMARPE to recommend the opening of the second fishing season (IMARPE 2016; IMARPE 2016; IMARPE 2016).
Since 2015, IMARPE is not reporting explicit catch advice, instead decision tables for alternative catch levels, from projections based on different environmental scenarios, exploitation rates and biomass remnants (4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5 or 6.0 million tonnes expected at the next spawning season) (IMARPE, 2015d; IMARPE 2016). Based on environmental plausible conditions and the target harvest rate (=0.35) indicated in the reports and protocol, permissible catch levels would be 1.4 and 2.0 million tonnes for the first and second fishing seasons (IMARPE 2016; IMARPE 2016). Other recommendations from IMARPE in 2016 were to increase landings and processing plants controls to obtain precise estimates of juvenile incidence in catches.
Last updated on 12 April 2017
Considering 40 years of observations, the range of remnant spawning stock biomass for the next spawning event is between 4 and 6 million tonnes (IMARPE, 2014a). The most recent version of the protocol establishes also a target exploitation rate at 0.35, the historical average level for defining the quotas (IMARPE 2016).
Several authors and most recently, Hervás and Medley (2016) have raised concerns about the justification of the thresholds used by IMARPE in relation to the impact on predators and the need to analyze if these reference points are sufficient, taken also into account the role of anchoveta in the ecosystem. Recommendations have been included in a fishery improvement project that will be undertaken within the next year (SNP and CeDePesca 2017).
Last updated on 12 April 2017
Anchoveta is a small pelagic short-lived species, with population dynamics highly dependent on environmental conditions. Peruvian coasts are part of the Humboldt Current ecosystem, which shows significant inter-annual fluctuations. As well, in recent years, different environmental patterns are being observed, e.g. higher frequency of warm Kelvin waves and El Niño events. This reinforces the dominance of climate instability and unpredictability in environmental conditions, and raises uncertainty in anchoveta stock status.
The 2016 first hydroacoustic survey was carried out in March-April, as the summer spawning event was delayed, and estimated a below average total biomass of 4.42 million tonnes and a reduced and irregular spatial distribution, indicating that the El Niño conditions affected the stock. Still, size structure and reproductive indicators analysis showed that the stock was able to renew. The second survey carried out in late May indicated a trend to recovery of the stock, due to the conclusion of the El Niño event. Total biomass was estimated at 7.28 million tonnes, with a juvenile portion of 29% in weight, thus a 5.16 million tonnes spawning stock biomass, both estimates at historical average levels and within the target reference range (4.5 - 6 million tonnes). Spatial distribution increased significantly; however, 60% of biomass remained within 10 nm and somatic conditions indicated that recovery was not complete (IMARPE 2016).
The third survey carried out between September –November 2016 showed a significant recovery of the stock, due to normalization of oceanographic conditions. Total biomass was estimated at 6.86 million tonnes, with a juvenile portion of 49% in weight. The spatial distribution of the stock has increased significantly and the high percentage of juveniles in the population is result of an above average recruitment event (IMARPE 2016).
During the first fishing season of 2016, 50.96% of the TAC was attained, with around 917,000 tonnes of catches. This low level of catches was due to the early closure of the fishery to protect the spawning peak. The second fishing season of 2016 extended to 27 January, 2017; catches reached 1.96 million tonnes (98% of set TAC), with an incidence of juveniles of 26% in numbers and 14% in weight (IMARPE 2017; PRODUCE 2017).
The most recent survey was conducted in February with industrial vessels along the entire Peruvian coast. Oceanographic conditions and species composition indicate presence of warm waters confirming the occurrence of El Niño event alerted, mainly in the central-northern regions (IMARPE 2017).
Last updated on 12 April 2017
Since the beginning of this fishery, anchoveta has passed three phases regarding recruitment and biomass levels; a low period from 1950 to 1972, a high level period from 1973 to 1991, and an intermediate period from 1992 to present. Since mid-1990’s, total biomass fluctuated around an average of 8.2 million tonnes in summers and 6.0 million tonnes in winters (IMARPE, 2014c).
According to IMARPE, landings and exploitation rates have been decreasing since 1994, due to more precautionary fishing policies (IMARPE, 2014c). Fishing mortality or exploitation rates are not published; however, fishing effort and CPUE are informed for each fishing season (IMARPE, 2016b,d). Landings peaked in 1970 (around 10 million tonnes), dropped to a minimum in 1978 (480,000 tonnes), and peaked again in 1994 (around 9 million tonnes). Over the past decade, landings peaked at 8 million tonnes in 2000 and 2004, from 2006 to 2009 have stabilized around 5 million tonnes and dropped to an average of 3 million tonnes since 2010.
The species is strongly dependent on environmental variables, resulting in rapid fluctuations in biomass. Since 2009 an increase in variability amplitude and a trend to more positive anomalies is being observed and more pronounced fluctuations have characterized biomass estimates (IMARPE, 2014c,d). Cumulative adverse environmental conditions have affected the stock from late 2013 to early 2016 leading to significant changes in distribution patterns, however, the stock has shown ability to recover rapidly even from prolonged unfavorable conditions (IMARPE, 2014d; 2015d) (IMARPE 2016)(IMARPE 2016)(IMARPE 2016). After only less than a year with neutral environmental conditions, a new El Niño event is currently being observed (IMARPE 2017). This reinforces the dominance of climate instability and unpredictability in environmental conditions, and raises uncertainty in anchoveta stock status.
Last updated on 12 April 2017
Anchoveta catches have been reported by the small pelagics purse seine fishery in Ecuador in the southern coast from 2001 to 2012, explained as an expansion of the anchoveta distribution range northwards, as a result of an adaptive response to warmer conditions (Instituto Nacional de Pesca, 2009). Landings have been very variable, in 2006-2008 anchoveta was the most important species for the small pelagics mixed fishery, peaking at 76,000 tonnes. Last significant volumes, 12,000 tonnes were landed in 2012, and from 2013 to 2015, there have been no catches (Instituto Nacional de Pesca 2017).
Last updated on 12 April 2017
Fisheries in Peru are managed by the Ministry of Production (PRODUCE) and the Vice-Ministry of Fisheries. Anchoveta is managed by an adaptive system to account for highly ecosystem variability and consequent uncertainty and rapid fluctuations in biomass, typical of this resource and the Humbolt ecosystem (EUR-OCEANS, 2008).
A quota is set for the industrial fleet in the northern-central stock of Peruvian anchoveta (Engraulis ringens) and Longnose anchovy (Anchoa nasus) for indirect human consumption (fishmeal and fishoil). Longnose anchovy account for only a few percent of total landings. As of 2009, a Maximum Catch Limit per Vessel regime has been implemented; changing the way the global quota is used, with the aim to reduce the pressure on the fishery and the environment by spacing out the effort over the season (PRODUCE, 2010). Two fishing seasons are set each year for which IMARPE biannually estimates a TAC over a target escapement biomass to the next reproductive event of 4-6 million tonnes of anchoveta (IMARPE 2016). PRODUCE, based on the scientific reports issued by IMARPE, establishes fishing seasons’ periods and length, based on a close monitoring of the anchoveta spawning process and the presence of juveniles. The first fishing season in 2016 (June-July) had a TAC of 1.8 million tonnes and the second fishing season (November-January 2017) TAC was 2.0 million tonnes (PRODUCE 2016; PRODUCE 2016; PRODUCE 2016; PRODUCE 2017).
Main changes in regulations in 2016 were implementation of an electronic log system for all fleets to enforce controls and the permission to the industrial fleet to fish within the 5 and 10 nm as exploratory fishing activities to collect data on species distributions patterns (PRODUCE 2016). The former regulation provides permission for landing of juveniles or bycatch in percentages above those allowed (10% and 5% respectively) if timely informed through the electronic log that would allow managers to define proper closures (PRODUCE 2016), and aims to reduce incentives to discarding. During both fishing seasons of 2016, the high incidence of juveniles led to around a hundred transitory fishery closures (Diario Gestión 2016)(Diario Gestión 2017).
Other statutory management controls include :i) spatial closures (industrial fishing operations off 10 nautical miles from the coast), ii) temporal closures (to protect juveniles when the proportion is more than 10% of landings in numbers); iii) minimum mesh size (13 mm); iv) minimum landing size of 12cm; v) landings from artisanal fleets only for human consumption; vi) effort control (one trip per day, satellite positioning system on board; vii) a discard ban of fishing resources at sea (PRODUCE, 2012d), with incidental catches limited to 5% of total landings; viii) closed entry for new fishing boats in both the industrial and the artisanal;and ix) monitoring by third-party operators to verify landing statistics at 134 unloading points.
Since 2015 both institutions IMARPE and PRODUCE are gradually improving transparency regarding the management of this fishery. IMARPE publish daily landing records from both industrial and artisanal/small-scale fleets (IMARPE 2017). However, the decision making process is not made publicly available; there is no explicit harvest control rule that anticipates reducing fishing effort if spawning stock biomass drops to the limit level (4 million tonnes) nor mechanisms explaining how catch levels are defined among the alternative scenarios presented by IMARPE before a fishing season is opened.
Last updated on 12 April 2017
Management measures previous to April 2017 that regulated the artisanal and small-scale vessels (≤ 10 m3 and 10-32.5 m3 tonnage capacity, respectively) were: spatial restriction allowing only artisanal boats to operate within five nautical miles of the coast and small-scale boats from 5 to 10 nautical miles; landings exclusively destined for direct human consumption; and mandatory vessel monitoring system (Supreme Decrees Nº10/2010, Nº5/2012 and Nº01/2013). These fleets have not been managed under a catch limit program; and although a TAC reserve was defined in 2015 for the artisanal and small-scale fleets for strengthening the overall management of the resource(PRODUCE 2016), no quota seems to have been reserved in 2016 fishing seasons.
A new set of management measures for these two fleets was recently approved. Among these: i) the change in fleets’ definition, with a maximum 32.6 m3 tonnage and 15 mts length and differentiation between small-scale and artisanal fleets, based on the use or not of mechanized fishing operations; ii) anchoveta extractive activities are only allowed from three miles off the coastline for all fleets, iii) mandatory registration of all authorized vessels in a national system, and iv) an annual total allowable catch limit for direct human consumption (PRODUCE 2017). As well, an electronic/radio log is required for these component of the fishery (PRODUCE 2016).
Last updated on 12 April 2017
Adaptive management is used for this stock due to its strong dependence on environmental variables and rapid fluctuations in biomass (EUR-OCEANS, 2008). Some precautionary measures have been taken to allow the recovery of the stock from adverse environmental conditions, such as closure of the second fishing season in 2014 and lower TAC in second fishing season of 2015 (IMARPE, 2014c-e; IMARPE, 2015b-d).
Two Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) have been implemented recently to improve management of the industrial and for the artisanal and small-scale fleets.
Last updated on 12 April 2017
TAC and Maximum Catch Limit per Vessel are applied to the industrial fleet; landings by this fleet are for indirect human consumption and represent 99% of total anchoveta catches (Avadí et al, 2014). Landings in both fishing seasons of 2016 were below set TACs (Diario Gestión 2016; IMARPE 2017).
Mendo and Wosnitza‐Mendo (2014) estimated correction factor for unreported catches , including discards of excess catch and juveniles, loss of fish blood, underestimation through misreporting by processing plants; illegal landings and irregular sales. In 2010, the estimate was 10%, confirming that the data gathering system needs improvement. Artisanal and small-scale fleets’ correction factor is on average 35%. These two fleets by law target anchoveta only for direct human consumption, however, the catches are also illegally sold for reduction fishmeal plants.
Discarding of fishing resources at sea is not allowed and maximum allowable percentages of anchoveta juveniles in catches is 10% (PRODUCE, 2012c,d). In consequence of anomalous environmental conditions, increased mixture of juvenile and adult anchoveta is been observed in recent years, leading to high proportions of juveniles in catches (Paredes, 2014). Thus, to reduce discarding incentives, landing of juveniles was allowed if timely reported through the electronic log to allow quick closures where the fleet reports high percentage of juveniles (PRODUCE 2016). During both fishing seasons of 2016, the high incidence of juveniles led to around a hundred of transitory fishery closures (Diario Gestión 2016; Diario Gestión 2017).
The incidence of juveniles in landings has been between 1 and 14 % in 2016 (IMARPE 2016)(IMARPE 2017). Still, these figures should be considered minimum estimates, as are calculated based on landing sampling, and some discarding can still be occurring (Oceana 2017). However, as catches have been well below set TAC in 2016, real catches are likely below set and advised limits.
In 2016, catches attained 75% of the annual total quota, but usually TAC use is in the order of 98%. Therefore, the correction factor estimated by Mendo and Wosnitza‐Mendo (2014) for unreported catches of around 10% should be analyzed by IMARPE and if needed, it should be taken into account in estimated catches reporting and the quota limit setting process.
Monitoring and compliance regarding discards and zone invasions (industrial vessels operating within the 10nm from the coastline, or small-scale vessels entering in the 5 nm) are expected to increase with the electronic log system and mandatory positioning system on board for all fleets. As well, intensive inspections are being conducted at landing points and on-board; with most infractions related to excess of juveniles without prior notification (Diario Gestión 2017).
Last updated on 12 April 2017
Peru recognizes different ETP species susceptible to direct or indirect interactions with the anchoveta fishery, as a key prey species of the Humboldt Current ecosystem of some Endangered, Protected and Threatened (ETP) species. National legislation, based on the IUCN Red List, prohibits the capture of protected species (seabirds, turtles and marine mammals) for commercial purposes, including Peruvian Diving Petrel, Humboldt penguin, Guanay cormorant, pelican, Peruvian booby, green sea turtle, South American sea lion and Southern fur seal. Commercial catch, processing and marketing of small cetaceans is prohibited by a national law since the mid-1990s (PERU 1996).
The main threat posed by this fishery consists of reduction of food availability to protected predator species (Gislason, 2003). An inverse relationship was also found between the anchoveta fishing mortality and populations of seabirds and pinnipeds, however the high environmental variability, such as El Niño events, is considered the main factor driving the Humboldt Current ecosystem associated with ETPs populations viability of rebuilding (IMARPE, 2010b). IMARPE highlights the difficulties to predict environmental variability and notes that focus should be on preservation of resilience of key species in the ecosystem, such as anchoveta. This should be done under an adaptive management system that ensure he protection of coastal areas, where this and many other species refuge, particularly under unfavorable oceanographic conditions, and spawning events and juvenile fraction of the population, to maintain the intrinsic species capability to recover within a highly variable ecosystem environment (IMARPE, 2014a) (PRODUCE 2016).
Anomalous environmental conditions since 2013 are considered the main cause for the increased diversity in the pelagic ecosystem, and therefore a higher number of non-target species caught as bycatch in the anchoveta fishery in 2014 and 2015 (IMARPE, 2015c,d), e.g. Smooth hammerhead (tiburón martillo, Sphyrna zygaena) which is categorized as “Vulnerable” by IUCN (IUCN, 2016) (PRODUCE, 2015e). In mid-2014, Peru approved the National Plan of Action for the conservation and management of chondrichthyes (PRODUCE, 2015e).
There is an IMARPE on-board observer program since 1996, which covers about 4-6% of the overall fishing effort (Hervás and Medley 2016). However, there is no regular reporting of interactions of the anchoveta fishery with ETPs species. A recently announced FIP aim to conduct actions for a better understanding of the fishery impacts on protected species and habitats (SNP and CeDePesca 2017).
OTHER TARGET AND BYCATCH SPECIES
Last updated on 12 April 2017
There is an IMARPE on-board observer program since 1996, which covers about 4-6% of the overall fishing effort (Hervás and Medley 2016). Longnose anchovy (Anchoa nasus) is captured along with anchoveta and are managed together under one quota in the industrial fishery. The proportion of this species in catch is not regularly reported and stock status is not known.
Peruvian law allows just up to 5% of non-target species bycatch in weight for all fleets in the anchoveta fishery (e.g. PRODUCE, 2015b,c), however, there are no regular reporting of bycatch related to the maximum allowed percentage and bycatch rates for these species. Saldarriaga (2015) estimated a bycatch rate of around 5% in the industrial fishery, using landings data from 2003 to 2011, and a decreasing trend in recent years. However, using bootstrapping and delta models, bycatch rates were around 10% with an increasing trend in the 2005-2011 period.
Chilean jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi), Chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus), squid and Carrot squat lobster (Pleuroncodes monodon) are mentioned as the main incidental species in the anchoveta industrial fishery (IMARPE 2014a, 2015c). In the artisanal and small-scale fleets, there are numerous species , including : silverside (Odontesthes regia), bonito (Sarda chilensis), squid (Loligo gahi), Jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi), flounder (Paralichthys adspersus), Lorna drum (Sciaena deliciosa), red squat lobster (Pleuroncodes monodon), butterfish (Trachinotus paitensis), mahi mahi (Coryphaena hippurus), eagle rays (Myliobatis spp. among others, (CeDePesca 2010). Around 98 - 99% of the observed catch in the small-scale fishery was anchoveta (nearly 100% for the artisanal fleet) in recent fishing trips and bycatch species were Lorna drum (Sciaena deliciosa), longnose anchoveta (Anchoa nasus), chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) and silverside (Odontesthes regia) (IMARPE 2015).
Anomalous environmental conditions since 2013 are considered the main cause for the increased mixture of juvenile and adult anchoveta, and therefore a higher incidence of juveniles in catches. As well, observers recorded a higher number of non-target species, similarly to in the fishing season 2014, associated with higher diversity in the pelagic ecosystem due to prolonged warm anomalous conditions (IMARPE, 2015c,d). Thus, IMARPE has recommended a strict control of landings, discarding and fishing within the 5 nm, as well as bycatch incidence (IMARPE, 2016c,d).
Implementation of the electronic log system to allow setting of timely closures and intense inspection in ports and on-board is a precautionary strategy recently in place to minimize the impact of the fishery. However, full implementation within the small-scale and artisanal fishery and improvement of bycatch data collection, analysis and reporting is required (Hervás and Medley 2016). In this regard, an analysis for estimation of optimum sample size for the program of observers on board fishing vessels targeting anchoveta was recently published (Joo et al. 2016).
Ecuador
Purse seines
Last updated on 2 March 2015
Anchoveta is caught by the mixed small pelagics purse seine fishery in Ecuador in the southern coast since 2001 Instituto Nacional de Pesca, 2009).
In recent years, the most important species in catches have been chub makarel (Scomber japonicus, bullet mackerel (Auxis spp.), thread herring (Ophistonema ssp.), Pacific anchoveta (Cetengraulis mysticetus) and Chilean jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi. Anchoveta has been the most significant species in total catches in 2007/2008 (Instituto Nacional de Pesca, 2009), however currently is a secondary species for this fleet with occasional catches, ranging from 0 to 6% from total small pelagics landings (around 200,000 tons) since 2010 (Instituto Nacional de Pesca, 2015).
Last updated on 12 April 2017
There is no direct impact on bottom habitats from purse seine, unless it is used in waters shallower than the nets height. Since 2012, industrial vessels can only operate outside the 10 nm from the coast; small-scale vessels (10 to 32.3 m3) between 5 and 10 nm, while the artisanal fleet (less than 10 m3) can operate from the coastline. The aim of this regulation is to protect coastal habitats and breeding zones for several species (PRODUCE, 2012b; IMARPE, 2014a). However, new management authorities are keen to derogate this measure and have given permissions in 2016 for the industrial fleet to operate within the 5-10 nm zone (IntraFish 2016). Thus, as the artisanal fleet can operate from mile zero and the industrial and small-scale fleets can operate between miles 5 and mile 10 and the morphology of the platform along the Peruvian coastline and associated habitats vulnerable to fishery impacts are not well known, concerns have been raised (Hervás and Medley 2016).
The main impact of the fishery on the ecosystem occurs via the impacts on the trophic chain, as anchovy is a forage species. A negative trend was observed for anchoveta landings from 1990 to 2012, what was also seen for other commercial species, which rely on anchoveta directly or indirectly through the trophic chain, underpinning the key role of anchoveta in Peruvian marine ecosystem (IMARPE, 2014a).
Anchoveta is highly dependent on environmental events; periodically, the upwelling that drives the Humboldt Current Large Marine Ecosystem’s productivity, where the fishery operates, is disrupted by El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events. Spatiotemporal variability affecting anchoveta at different temporal scales has been studied by several authors (Ballón et al., 2011; Bertrand et al., 2011; IMARPE, 2012a,b; Espino and Yamashiro, 2012; Espinoza and Bertrand, 2014; etc). During ENSO events, fish abundance and distribution are significantly affected, often leading to stock crashes and cascading social and economic impacts. These events cause regime shifts where anchovies and sardines alternate as the dominant species in the ecosystem. Still, both anchovy and sardine fisheries’ collapses can be attributed to a combination of El Niño events, decadal shifts towards less productive conditions and overfishing (Bertrand et al., 2011).
Prolonged warm anomalous conditions since late 2013 have led to higher diversity in the pelagic ecosystem, higher mixture of juvenile and adult organisms in anchoveta schools, diet change by anchoveta (from euphasids to copepods), more coastal distribution and increased consumption of anchoveta by coastal species due to its accessibility. These changes seem to increase risk upon the anchoveta stock (IMARPE, 2014a,c; 2015d). IMARPE highlights that difficulties to predict environmental variability are more evident in recent years, and indicates that focus should be on preservation its resilience by protecting coastal areas, spawning events and juveniles (IMARPE 2016; PRODUCE 2016).
Hervás and Medley (2016) have raised concerns about the justification of these reference points in relation to the impact on predators and the need to take into account in the definition of the reference points the role of anchoveta in the ecosystem. Associated to this, they also indicate the need of explicit ecosystem-based objectives within the harvest strategy. A recently announced FIP aims to conduct actions to accomplish these recommendations in coordination with the management authorities (SNP and CeDePesca 2017).
Last updated on 12 April 2017
There are two Marine Reserves in Peru: Paracas Marine Reserve – extension of 335,000 ha of which 65% correspond to sea waters, created to protect especially seabirds such as the Humboldt penguin; and the National Reserve of Islands, Islets and Guano Headlands System – contains 22 islands and islets and 11 headlands (140,833 ha) and was created to preserve the continuity of the biological cycle of species that inhabit it and to help preserve straddlling fish stocks (Cedepesca, 2010). The creation of a new marine reserve has been proposed to protect an area within the tropical sea ecoregion in Peru (Peru Pesquero, 2015).
The Nature Conservancy has been working to address sustainable fisheries and marine conservation issues in Peru, promoting marine protected areas and is working with the IMARPE to predict how fish stocks will behave given certain environmental changes (TNC 2017).
In 2016, the implementation of the electronic log and the high incidence of juveniles led to the establishment of around a hundred transitory fishery closures during each fishing seasons (Diario Gestión 2016)(Diario Gestión 2017). As well, anchoveta extractive activities are now only allowed from three miles off the Peruvian coastline for all fleets, constituting a permanent spatial closure (PRODUCE 2017).
