The Ministry of Production (Produce) has authorised the start of the first 2022 fishing season for anchovy (Engraulis ringens) and white anchovy (Anchoa nasus) for indirect human consumption in the country’s North-Central Zone.
Exploratory fishing has been authorised from 4 May 2022 for a period of 15 days in the maritime area outside the five nautical miles of the coastline. From 19 May, the fishing season will officially start.
The North-Central Maximum Total Permissible Catch Limit (LMTCP) of the anchoveta resource for indirect human consumption is 2,792,000 tonnes for this season.
According to current regulations, authorised vessels must carry out fishing operations outside the areas reserved for artisanal and small-scale fishing.
Produce’s technical agency Instituto del Mar del Peru (IMARPE) will coordinate and monitor the development of the exploratory fishing.
Meanwhile, anchovy fishing for indirect human consumption in Peru’s southern sea area amounted to 81,700 tonnes in January and February this year, an increase of 139% year-on-year.
For the period, almost US$32.8 million worth of fishmeal and fish oil exports from the southern zone were registered.
According to Ministerial Resolution No. 00463-2021-PRODUCE, the current season began on 5 January and will end once the maximum total catch limit for indirect human consumption of 486,500 tonnes is reached. Otherwise, the date may not exceed 30 June 2022.
