Peru is now enforcing unregulated sizes more strictly than ever before. The Ministry of Production (Produce), through the General Directorate of Supervision, Oversight, and Sanctions, reported confiscating 2.7 tons of resources in the Piura region because they were below the established sizes.
This measure aims to preserve fishery resources, and the intervention of supervision and oversight played a crucial role. Specifically, inspectors examined the Artisanal Fishing Dock (DPA) Leonardo Felipe Vite Morales in Sechura while it was unloading the resources in sizes or weights below the permitted limits, surpassing the tolerance established by regulations.
Subsequently, Produce's inspectors proceeded to confiscate these resources. The goal was to stop the illegal commercialization of these resources in Peru and to prevent them from being acquired and distributed to the main markets and restaurants in the area.
However, given that overfishing had already caused the damage and as the resource was suitable for direct human consumption, the district municipalities of Bellavista de la Unión (660 Kg.) and Bernal (2,112 Kg.) received the entire donation. They were responsible for distributing it among economically disadvantaged residents within their jurisdiction.
Minimum sizes go beyond weight or preferred consumption; they are a measure to safeguard the maturity of each species, ensuring their proper reproduction and sustainability.
Therefore, centimeters are crucial and the effortless and most sustainable measure to secure the future of hydrobiological resources. As the Peruvian Ministry of Production stated, tackling illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing is the only way to prevent these incidents from occurring on a large scale and repeatedly.