The Ministry of Production ( Produce ) established a quota of 2.5 million tons for the fishing of anchovy (Engraulis ringens) and white anchovy (Anchoa nasus) for indirect human consumption to be carried out in the north-central zone.

According to Ministerial Resolution N 120-2021-PRODUCE, the measure comes into effect as of today with the execution of an exploratory fishing that will last up to a maximum period of 10 days.
 

The Minister of Production, José Luis Chicoma , indicated that the Peruvian Sea Institute ( Imarpe ) has determined that the total biomass of the north central stock amounts to 9.8 million tons. However, the size composition is made up of both juveniles and adults from 2 to 18 cm.

" This mixture of juvenile specimens with those suitable for capture, are at levels that require monitoring to strengthen management and conservation measures, " said Chicoma.

Exploratory fishing will update the information on the distribution and size structure of the anchovy to be able to adopt measures such as the partial or total closure of areas or protect the group of juveniles.

" Once the exploratory fishing is completed, the first fishing season will begin ," said the minister.

Additionally, Produce will implement management and conservation measures for anchovy, associated and dependent species. The application of preventive closures will continue due to the incidence of percentages higher than 10% of juveniles in certain areas to protect the population development of the anchovy.

It should be considered that the landing of hydrobiological resources for Indirect Human Consumption registered an average annual increase of 3.2% in the last 5 years, with a volume of 3,953 million metric tons (MT). In 2020 alone, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the landing of anchovy reached 4,314.6 million MT, a figure 27.6% higher than in 2019.

Only the exports of the Indirect Human Consumption sector generated during 2020 around US $ 1,279 million in foreign currency for the country.