'If Peruvian industrial fleet does not fish for anchovy, who benefits is Chile' (Elena Conterno)

SNP: Protected area in the south is for resources and not for artisanal fishing

PERU
Wednesday, February 20, 2019, 09:00 (GMT + 9)

The National Fisheries Society (SNP) today rejected the statements made by the Minister of Production, Raúl Pérez - Reyes, who on the previous day ruled out the scientific, technical and economic evaluations carried out on the benefits for the country to restitute the Special Fisheries Regime (REP) in the southern zone, noting that a group of fishermen has shown their disagreement with the proposal.

In this regard, the president of the National Society of Fisheries, Elena Conterno recalled that in January, a report prepared by Macroconsult on the situation of the southern area showed statistically that the regulatory change has not had a positive impact on the landings of artisanal fisheries as it was expected when the change was made; since they did not increase by driving the industrial fleet away until mile 5.

• Fishing Union affirms that Ministry of Production must evaluate the issue in a technical and scientific way.
• If Peruvian industrial fleet does not fish anchoveta, who benefits is Chile.

"The minister himself has indicated that according to a report prepared by the Institute of the Sea of ​​Peru (Imarpe) the realization of industrial fishing within five miles to a maximum of two miles would not impact the sustainability of resources or the development of artisanal fishing, "he said.

In this context, the union leader stressed that the restricted areas in the sea are established with the objective of allowing the adequate renewal of hydrobiological resources, but not to privilege some activities over others as it wrongly intends to do it now. Produce in the southern area with the artisanal fishing.

Map of peruvian South Protected area (in red)

"It is up to the ministry to determine the reserve zone on the southern coast, in order to take care of the ecosystem and protect the seabed from fishing gear that damages it," she said.

On the other hand, Conterno added that unfortunately Minister Pérez - Reyes has said that the restitution of the REP in the south does not go because some do not want, recognizing that there is no technical reason for it. "As a guild and as a Peruvian industry that generates production, employment and taxes, we expect the leadership of our authorities so that in the decision-making process, the development of the country is prioritized, and action is not taken according to what some pressure group without representativeness wants to impose, "she said.

Austral fishing vessels (photo: SNP)

In this regard, noted that according to a report by the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SPF) in October last year, one of the four fisheries that improved their sustainability in 2018 was the anchoveta corresponding to the stock of southern Peru and northern Chile .

The most benefited: Chile

According to the Macroconsult report, in the period 2011-2015 and 2017, the Peruvian anchoveta fishery in the southern zone recorded a significant decrease in catch rates, while in Chile there have been high catch rates.

"The catches in southern Peru have been 50% less than in the Northern Zone of Chile since 2012, even reaching 65% -67% lower in the years 2013 and 2017," the document said.

In this regard, the president of the SNP said that while the Peruvian plants are closed, in Chile the companies are investing in two new plants.

Data of interest

· One of the main geographical features of the southern zone is that the continental shelf is relatively narrow, which causes the southern stock of anchovy to be folded back to the coast compared to what is seen in the northern stock center.

· According to Imarpe in the southern zone, up to 97% of the anchovy biomass can be located within the first 10 miles.

· With the elimination of the REP, the fishing sector in Arequipa, Moquegua and Tacna has gone from representing 2.3% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2007 to 0.4% in 2016.

· To learn more about the study conducted by SFP, visit the following link: https://www.sustainablefish.org/News/SFP-releases-2018-reduction-fisheries-report

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