Hake fishing. (Photo: Produce)
PERU
Wednesday, June 25, 2014, 22:00 (GMT + 9)
The Ministry of Production (PRODUCE) set a maximum total allowable catch limit for hake (Merluccius gayi peruanus) for the period from 1 July, 2014 to 30 June, 2015 at 47,129 tonnes.
Fishing operations may take place in the maritime area from the northern tip of the country's maritime domain and 06°00' south latitude.
The holders of fishing permits being allocated a maximum catch limit per vessel to catch this species may carry out their activities until reaching the total limit.
Meanwhile, the participation of artisanal vessels will not be subject to the allocation of a catch limit, unless compliance with fisheries management measures enacted to protect the reproductive process and the fishing effort regulation, the Ministerial Resolution 214 -2014 sets.
PRODUCE will be in charge of setting management fisheries measures to protect hake spawning processes on the recommendation of the experts from Instituto del Mar del Peru (IMARPE).
If a by-catch of hake having less than 28 cm is recorded of over 20 per cent of the total catch for three consecutive days or five alternate days over a period of seven days, PRODUCE may suspend fishing operations in the occurrence area for at least seven consecutive days. In case of recurrence, the duration of the closure will be doubled and if the situation continues, the definitive suspension will be implemented until IMARPE deems it appropriate to reopen the area.
During reproductive fishing ban periods, trawlers and artisanal boats will be banned.
Last April, PRODUCE authorized the catch of 5,000 tonnes of hake in the same area.