Vessel used for fishing for hake. (Photo: Produce)
PERU
Friday, August 29, 2014, 23:00 (GMT + 9)
Starting today a reproductive ban comes into effect for hake (Merluccius gayi peruanus) in a specific area off the coast of Piura, ordered by the Ministry of Production (PRODUCE).
According to the Ministerial Resolution No. 290-2014, published in the journal El Peruano, the suspended area is located between 04°30' South Latitude (Punta Lobitos as reference) and 6°00' (Punta Negra as reference).
The move was adopted after a scientific recommendation was received from experts of Instituto del Mar del Peru (IMARPE).
According to the clauses of the regulation, the suspension of fishing was the result of the report from IMARPE 'Provisional Regime for Hake Fishing: Evolution of the reproductive process', carried out between 1 July and 14 August.
The scientists recommended the immediate suspension of catch activities in order to protect the hake spawning process in that area.
In addition, the Government intends to safeguard the current stock sustainability.
Two months ago, PRODUCE set a maximum total allowable catch (LMCTP) for hake for the period from 1 July, 2014 to 30 June, 2015 at 47,129 tonnes.
Furthermore, the Ministry also ordered IMARPE to perform fishing monitoring and tracking tasks as well as the control of key hake biological, population and fishing indicators.
On the other hand, experts will have to promptly inform about fisheries management measures that apply.
Fishermen who do not comply with the new resolution will be sanctioned in accordance with the provisions of the General Fisheries Act, its regulations and the Consolidated Text of the Rules of Fisheries and Aquaculture Inspections and Appeals (RISPAC) as well as current legislation.
According to the latest Statistical Bulletin prepared by PRODUCE, between January and May 2014 15,087 tonnes of hake were landed in Peruvian ports for producing frozen products. This represents 4.9 per cent of all the aquatic resources unloaded for the freezing industry.
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- Hake maximum catch set