In Peru, bonito (Sarda chiliensis chiliensis) is an important resource for ensuring the future of the artisanal fishing sector and the families that depend on this activity.
Photo: Produce.
At the end of January, commenting on the management of bonito (Sarda chiliensis chiliensis) and its importance to the artisanal fishing sector in Peru, the Peruvian Vice Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Jesús Barrientos, said: "We have to fish with an eye to the future." Three months later, Peru's Ministry of Production (Produce) unveiled the first measures to guarantee that sustainable future, while announcing the expansion of the fishing quota for this species in 2026.
Specifically, Produce has revised this year's total allowable catch (TAC), increasing it by nearly 18%—from 68,367 to 80,655 tons—which means that, in 2026, 12,288 more tons than initially planned may be caught. Furthermore, as part of an adaptive management approach based on scientific evidence and ongoing monitoring, its validity has also been extended through December.
The measure aims not only to strengthen the sustainable management of this resource, but also to improve food security and optimize the economic benefits of small-scale fishing along the entire Peruvian coastline. This was emphasized by the Peruvian Minister of Production, César Quispe Luján, who stated that this decision seeks to ensure a balance between sustainability, food supply, and better opportunities for small-scale fishing.
"We are ensuring that bonito remains an accessible food source for Peruvian families, but also a profitable and organized activity for thousands of artisanal fishermen in the country," said the head of Produce.
Regarding the new quota distribution, Peru's Ministry of Production explained that, from April 25th to December 31st, 2026, 14,193 tons of the total authorized catch can be harvested.
Of these, 6,451 tons will be for purse seine vessels with a capacity of more than 20 m³ up to 32.6 m³; 2,713 tons for purse seine vessels with a capacity of 10 m³ to 20 m³; 3,502 tons for purse seine vessels with a capacity of less than 10 m³; and 1,527 tons for artisanal gillnet vessels and other passive fishing gear.
Produce has also established a staggered fishing schedule to manage fishing effort. Vessels using passive fishing gear will operate from the 1st to the 12th of each month; purse seine vessels under 20 m³ will operate from the 13th to the 30th or 31st; while larger vessels can operate from the 20th to the end of each month. Furthermore, smaller and medium-sized vessels will be allowed up to two trips per month, and larger vessels, one trip per month.
Peru thus implements with bonito the adaptive fisheries management model that it is already applying with the anchovy and that, recently, led it to order a ten-day closure of the first anchovy fishing season of 2026 in the north-central region of the country to protect the resource, ensure responsible and sustainable fishing, and safeguard the livelihoods of thousands of families.
With regard to bonito, and also as part of the conservation measures, the Peruvian Ministry of Production now maintains the obligation to use only one fishing gear throughout the year, without the possibility of changing between active or passive gear.
Likewise, Produce announced that transfer is prohibited and reaffirmed the technical criteria for preserving the resource through the mandatory use of ice in a minimum ratio of 2 to 1 to guarantee the proper preservation of the bonito from the time of capture. Furthermore, vessels using passive fishing gear may catch a maximum of 2.5 tons per trip, with a tolerance of up to 0.3 tons.
"This new scheme allows for a more efficient social and economic use of the available quota, but with clear rules and under strict supervision to protect the sustainability of the resource," Minister Quispe Luján emphasized.
Finally, Produce said that the new regulation also specifies that during the reproductive closure period to be established in the coming months, all extractive activity of bonito will be prohibited, thus reinforcing the protection of the stock, which, according to the Peruvian Institute of the Sea (Imarpe), remains healthy and above the levels necessary for its maximum sustainable yield.