Anchovy catch. (Photo: PRODUCE)
PERUFriday, January 09, 2015, 23:40 (GMT + 9)
The National Fisheries Society (SNP) hopes that a new ruling from the Ministry of Production (Produce), which will be published shortly, will allow the increase of fish production in 2015.
According to SNP’s president, Elena Conterno, the regulations will authorize industrial vessels to fish from five miles to the south.
"Although there is still no official figure, it is likely that [fishmeal and oil] exports will be worth USD 1.7 billion, similar to 2013’s numbers, but less than the USD 2.3 billion in 2012," Conterno told Correo.
The head of the society added that 2014 was the worst in 15 years for the Peruvian fishing sector.
"2014 has it been the worst in 15 years. The Pacific anchovy fishery hasn´t fished since June, which is worrying because they have financial and work responsibilities," she said.
Now, it is expected that PRODUCE will start a short-term study of resources in the south to determine the next steps to be taken for fishing.
Conterno explained that the most grown-up Pacific anchovies are in the south and there is the possibility to access a critical mass of resources in the south.
She also said that in April or May the catch in the north-central region would be restarting, since there are many juveniles now.
"The Peruvian Institute of Marine Affairs (IMARPE) estimates that fishing in the north-central area may be resumed by that time, because juveniles will have become adults," she explained.
She also stressed that sector entrepreneurs are in a better mood because they believe that the combination rule-resource is better presented this year.
Last December, Conterno pointed out that the intensity with which the Kelvin wave was coming had decreased and the sea surface temperature was at around neutral level. She predicted that the fishing industry would grow 50 per cent in 2015, Andina agency reported.
At that time, she said the specimens detected until early December led to the conclusion that this year "will be much better", since it will start from a very low base. However, she clarified that this forecast is linked to the confirmation of SNP’s outlook.