"That implies a lot, because it contributes a lot to the economic growth of our country, it generates foreign exchange and jobs," said Peru's Minister of Production, Sergio González, about the quota already caught.
Photo: Produce.
Peru closed 2024 with 77.91% of the second season's anchovy quota landed, and in only fifteen days, that figure has already exceeded 90%. The success of the second anchovy season in the north-central zone of the country is such that, according to the Minister of Production, Sergio González, to date, landings have reached 2,261,124 tons.
Specifically, this is equivalent to 90.08% of the quota allocated last October, which was set at 2.51 million tons. According to the Peruvian Ministry of Production (Produce), this figure reflects its commitment to the conservation and responsible management of the country's hydrobiological resources.
"Through constant monitoring and the implementation of strict regulations, we seek to balance productivity with sustainability, ensuring the preservation of the marine ecosystem for future generations," the Peruvian Ministry of Production said when presenting the quota, one of the highest assigned for a second season.
Now, heading towards the final stretch of the season, the head of Produce highlighted the importance of the success of the current fishing campaign. "Approximately 90% of the quota has already been caught, we are talking about more than 2,200,000 tons. That implies a lot, because it contributes a lot to the economic growth of our country, it generates foreign exchange and jobs," said González.
Not only for its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) - in 2024, fishery exports exceeded USD 3 billion from January to September - but also for its positive impact on local communities and the generation of direct and indirect employment, anchovy fishing is one of the most important pillars of the Peruvian economy.
This is also demonstrated by the fact that this species accounted for the largest volume of the 3,285.64 tons of hydrobiological products seized last year in the Peruvian government's fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The protection of key species for the economy and environmental balance, such as the anchovy, was the priority in the more than 163,000 interventions carried out.
According to the latest data obtained by IFFO, The Marine Ingredients Organisation, in 2024, Peru's high fishing activity compensated for global fishmeal production. Up to November, it increased by about 16% compared to the same period in 2023, and the organization attributed this growth to Peru's cumulative supply thanks to the great fishing season.
Currently, a total of 189 vessels are in the fishing zone, distributed in the regions off Lambayeque, La Libertad, Ancash - the area that led in inspections against IUU fishing with 53,835 interventions and the seizure of 1,671.07 tons of hydrobiological products -, Lima and Ica.
As in the previous count provided by the Peruvian Ministry of Production, the main landing ports were Chimbote, Malabrigo, Coishco, Callao, Tambo de Mora, Supe, and Chancay. The main processing plants receiving the resource were again TASA (22%), COPEINCA (20%), Exalmar (17%), Diamante (11%) and Hayduk (9%).
