Peru's Minister of Production, Sergio González Guerrero, during the presentation of his department's budget.
Photo: Produce.
During his presentation before the Budget and General Account Committee of the Republic of Peru, Minister of Production Sergio González Guerrero announced that by 2026, his department will allocate PEN 752 million (EUR 182.1 million / USD 214.8 million) to promote the development of industry, micro and small enterprises (MSEs), fisheries and aquaculture. Almost 40% of this budget will go to the latter two.
González noted that Peru's Ministry of Production (Produce) will allocate a total of PEN 298 million (EUR 72.1 million / USD 85.1 million) to the fisheries and aquaculture sector, which specifically represents 39.62% of the total budget.
Both the statements made by the head of Produce and the distribution of the budget reinforce the message sent by Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, who, at the end of July, in her speech to the nation on the occasion of the National Holidays, highlighted the importance of both sectors in Peru's economic growth and recovery over the past year.
Then, in addition to economic growth, the President of Peru also emphasized Produce's key role in innovation, food security, and the modernization of fishing and aquaculture, all areas that are reflected in the Ministry's budget for 2026.
Within that PEN 298 million, there's money for building a new scientific research vessel for the Peruvian sea, and the country's first scientific vessel in 47 years, which will help strengthen the Peruvian Institute of the Sea (Imarpe), helping to monitor hydrobiological resources and guarantee sustainable fishing.
In addition, there is also a budget allocation for the construction, improvement, and sanitary adaptation of two artisanal fishing landing sites, and the completion of four technical reports, three of them on artisanal landing sites and a fourth on an aquaculture center.
It should be noted that this year Produce plans to complete improvements to the artisanal fishing landing facilities in Chancay and Supe, as well as work on the DPA in Huacho and Marcona, as a result of the investment in infrastructure for artisanal fishing that Peru is already carrying out to guarantee safer, healthier, and more efficient conditions for the development of all activities included in the seafood sector value chain.
Likewise, Produce's budget also includes items for the granting of 483 assisted loans in favor of artisanal fishing and aquaculture, as well as the execution of 180,000 inspections, focused mainly on landings intended for direct human consumption of species such as jumbo flying squid, perico (mahi-mahi), bonito, mackerel, and horse mackerel.
This last part, the oversight, is part of Peru's effort to ensure the safety and sustainability of its fisheries and aquaculture resources, which has recently been recognized with its appointment to take on the chairmanship of FAO's COFI Sub-Committee on Fish Trade.
Precisely commenting on this milestone, the Executive President of the Peruvian National Fisheries Health Agency (Sanipes), Mónica Saavedra Chumbe, emphasized that fishing and aquaculture are fundamental pillars for Peru's economic, social, and food development, not only because they generate employment and opportunities, but also because they contribute to food security.
