Depending on the development of landings and/or the evolution of biological, population, and fishery indicators, Produce may establish other limits on the jack mackerel catch during the annual period 2024.
Photo: Produce.
The Peruvian Ministry of Production (Produce) announced that the catch limit of jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi) for the annual period 2024 has been raised to 204,000 tons. This quota applies to extractive activities carried out by fishing vessels with a valid permit.
Of these, 84,000 tons will be destined for the larger scale fleet; 100,000 tons will be for vessels with a capacity from 20 m3 to 32.6 m3 in the hold using artisanal purse seine fishing gear; 14,375 tons for vessels that also use artisanal purse seines but have a capacity of less than 20 m3 in the hold; and the remaining 5,625 tons will be for vessels using curtains and other passive fishing gear.
This is good news for a fishery that, after a period of reproductive closure, reopened last November seeking to contribute to the reactivation of artisanal fishing. The measure had been taken when the spawning of jack mackerel was at its reproductive peak.
Now, although the change in the catch limit for the current season has been authorized following the recommendation of the Peruvian Institute of the Sea (Imarpe), the Ministry of Production warns that, nevertheless, it could change throughout the year.
"Produce, depending on the development of landings of the jack mackerel resource during the annual period 2024, may establish limits on the catch for the operation of purse seine fishing vessels," reads the announcement on the quota increase. However, landings will not be the only indicator when making decisions.
"Depending on the new scientific evidence available and in the framework of the monitoring of the main biological, population, and fishery indicators of the jack mackerel resource, the established catch limits may be modified, as well as the measures necessary for the sustainable use of this resource," explained Produce.
Through Imarpe, the Ministry of Production constantly monitors the resources not only to make an informed decision when setting the maximum catch quota limits but also to modify them - expanding or reducing them, according to their evolution.
Following this method, so far this year, Produce has already fixed or modified quotas for several species such as anchovy and white anchovy for indirect human consumption, anchovy for direct human consumption, bonito, and octopus.
"This year looks better for the fishing sector, but it requires joint, orderly, and constant work, which will allow us to move forward," said the Minister of Production, Sergio Gonzalez, shortly after taking the reins of Produce. As the Ministry itself usually remarks, its ultimate goal is to promote responsible fishing and the conservation of Peru's marine resources.