FAO Fishing Areas in America

ALPESCAS Highlights High Level of Fisheries Sustainability in Latin America and the Caribbean

WORLDWIDE
Friday, June 20, 2025, 03:00 (GMT + 9)

New FAO Report Reveals Majority of Regional Landings Come from Biologically Sustainable Stocks

The Latin American Alliance for Sustainable Fisheries and Food Security (ALPESCAS) has positively evaluated the latest report on fisheries sustainability presented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) during the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), held from June 9 to 13. The report, which involved the participation of over 650 experts from nearly 200 institutions in 90 countries, indicates that 74% of global fish landings originate from biologically sustainable stocks.

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Breaking down the figures by area, the report reveals promising data for the region. In Area 31 of the North American Atlantic (including Mexico and the Caribbean), 78% of landings are sustainable. In Area 41 of the South American Atlantic (Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina), this percentage reaches 68.4%. Area 77, covering part of the North American Pacific (Mexico), shows an impressive 81.2% sustainability, while Area 87, corresponding to the South American Pacific (Chile, Peru, and Ecuador), registers 81.1%.

For ALPESCAS, this evolution is "positive," especially considering that, among the 10 most landed marine species (including anchovy), and when weighted by their production volume, an estimated 85.8% of landings come from biologically sustainable stocks. Tuna and related species particularly stand out, with 87% of assessed stocks being sustainable and 99% of landings originating from sustainable sources.

Osciel Velásquez, president of ALPESCAS, emphasized the relevance of this situation, highlighting the importance of "working on the sustainability of fisheries, advancing in certifications, and generating reliable databases that allow for measuring progress over time in precautionary and care measures in fisheries."

Peruvian Fishing Efforts and Global Food Security

For his part, Alfonso Miranda Eyzaguirre, president of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Committee of the National Society of Industries of Peru (SNI), noted that, in his country's case, the guild is working diligently to maintain the sustainability of the main fishery resources for human consumption, such as giant squid (pota), eel, hake, mahi-mahi (perico), tuna, bonito, jack mackerel (jurel), and mackerel (caballa), among others. "Therefore, the role played by the Peruvian Sea Institute (IMARPE) for the permanent monitoring of our resources is fundamental, making it essential that the vessels announced by the government in November 2024 for scientific research at sea are built as soon as possible," emphasized Miranda Eyzaguirre.

Regarding food security, Osciel Velásquez pointed out that "fishing is a food industry that must contribute to reducing hunger and malnutrition, benefiting people and the planet." Therefore, he called for joining FAO's "Blue Transformation" to increase the contribution to global food security and meet the nutritional needs of the population, improving their quality of life with nutritious and sustainable foods.

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