Peruvian artisanal fishermen landing jumbo flying squid.
Photo: Produce.
During a meeting in Piura with artisanal fishermen engaged in jumbo flying squid fishing, Peru's Viceminister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Jesús Barrientos, announced that, in accordance with the agreement reached on October 1, the Peruvian Ministry of Production (Produce) has increased the catch quota for the species to 609,000 tons.
Likewise, Barrientos also announced that Produce has authorized 'Operation Jumbo Flying Squid IV' and has ratified the permanent monitoring of foreign vessels to prevent illegal fishing within 200 miles of Peruvian waters. Both measures were also included in the agreement reached earlier this month to end the protests by jumbo flying squid fishermen.
Held in the auditorium of the Regional Government of Piura—the province most affected by the fishermen's protests at the end of September, as its economy is mainly based on this activity— in addition to Viceminister Barrientos and representatives of artisanal fishermen, the meeting was also attended by officials from the Peruvian Sea Institute (Imarpe), the Directorates General of Artisanal Fisheries and Supervision, Control, and Sanctions, as well as the Regional Director of Production for Piura.
According to Produce, during his speech, Jesús Barrientos emphasized that the commitment of all stakeholders is essential to ensure the responsible use of the resource, and called on fishermen to work together with the government to improve the management of jumbo flying squid fishery.
During the meeting, he also urged fishermen to appoint representatives to form a technical working group that would facilitate ongoing dialogue, monitoring, and the development of consensus-based proposals to strengthen this productive activity in the region.
The Viceminister of Fisheries and Aquaculture thus showed that, despite the change of leadership in the Ministry—César Manuel Quispe Luján was sworn in as Minister of Production last week, replacing Sergio González Guerrero—Produce is maintaining the course set in agreement with artisanal fishermen at the beginning of the month.
Peru's Viceminister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Jesús Barrientos, during a meeting with fishermen.
Photo: Produce.
Regarding the quota increase, Barrientos reported that the total allowable catch (TAC) for jumbo flying squid for 2025 has been raised to 609,935 tons. The new figure represents an increase of 50,131 tons, or 8.95%, from the 559,804 tons previously set for this year.
As usual, Produce set the new amount in accordance with the scientific recommendation of Imarpe, which reported signs of recovery of the resource after the 2023-2024 El Niño event.
"This increase is based on scientific evidence and ensures that jumbo flying squid will continue to be a source of livelihood for thousands of families without compromising the sustainability of the resource," said the Viceminister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
Produce also recalled that the adjustment is being made within the framework of the Jumbo Flying Squid Fishing Management Regulation, approved this year, and is part of the adaptive management process promoted by the Ministry to ensure a balance between resource conservation and the economic stability of artisanal fishermen.
The second measure following the agreements was the Ministry's authorization of 'Operation Jumbo Flying Squid IV', calling on artisanal fishing vessels to take part in the latest edition of this scientific research activity led by Imarpe, which aims to contribute to the knowledge and sustainable management of the species (Dosidicus gigas) in Peruvian waters.
"Constant dialogue with fishermen, based on technical and scientific information, allows us to make responsible decisions. 'Operation Jumbo Flying Squid IV' will provide us with updated data to improve fisheries management and ensure its future," said Viceminister Barrientos.
Twenty-five artisanal fishing vessels will participate in this edition. In coordination with Imarpe and under strict technical protocols and with the mandatory boarding of scientific observers, they will carry out fishing operations in the maritime area between 0 and 100 nautical miles from the Peruvian coast.
Initially announced for the second week of November, Produce's latest update has finally set the date for the operation between November 3 and 7, 2025.
Shipowners or organizations in the artisanal fishing sector interested in participating must make their vessels available and comply with the requirements established for registration, which can be formalized using the form provided by Produce for this purpose.
Finally, the Viceminister of Fisheries and Aquaculture mentioned one last point included in the agreement reached with artisanal fishermen: the commitment to permanently monitor foreign-flagged vessels to prevent illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing within 200 miles of Peruvian waters.
According to Produce, to date, no foreign vessels have been recorded entering Peruvian territorial waters in 2025, confirming the effectiveness of the control measures implemented since last year, when IUU fishing inspections set a record in Peru.
June of this year was also a decisive month for Peru's efforts to consolidate its position as an active and responsible player in the global fight against illegal fishing, reaffirm its commitment to the sustainability of its marine resources, and strengthen its fisheries governance. That month, in addition to implementing new national monitoring measures, it also endorsed the OECD recommendation to combat IUU fishing and the BBNJ Agreement.
"We will continue to protect our sea and the resources that belong to all Peruvians. The fight against illegal fishing is an ongoing task for the State," Jesús Barrientos emphasized during the meeting in Piura.
The Viceminister confirmed that, in coordination with the General Directorate of Port Authorities and Coast Guard (DICAPI), the Ministry of Production maintains constant surveillance of foreign vessels to prevent illegal fishing in its territorial waters.
