Alfonso Miranda Eyzaguirre, president of the SNI Fishing and Aquaculture Committee, has questioned with arguments what PRODUCE reports...

El Niño affects squid catch in Peru, reports PRODUCE

According to the Peruvian Sea Institute (Imarpe), the El Niño phenomenon has caused the dispersion of the squid population since the fall of 2023, which has negatively impacted the catch rates of the artisanal fleet.

The Ministry of Production (PRODUCE)  recalled that similar situations were already experienced during the El Niño phenomena in the periods 1997-1998 and 2015-2016, where the squid exhibited comparable spatial behavior.

“The spatial behavior of squid (its availability and accessibility) is subject to oceanographic variability and the search for food. El Niño and La Niña events are the main factors that drive its dispersion, which generates an adverse effect on fishing activities,” explained the Vice Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Jesús Eloy Barrientos.

Regarding the recovery of the resource, the Vice Minister specified that, according to IMARPE estimates, the availability of squid will increase progressively in the coming months, considering that its life cycle is approximately 12 to 18 months and culminates with its reproduction.

He also highlighted that, although squid is a very abundant resource, its presence in the Peruvian sea is highly variable. “It is a fast-growing species, with its main spawning occurring between spring and summer,” he pointed out.

Regarding the possible impact of foreign-flagged vessels on the decrease in the availability of squid, Vice Minister Barrientos recalled that Vice Admiral Rodolfo Sablich Luna Victoria, general director of the General Directorate of Captaincies and Coast Guard (DICAPI), stated before the Commission on Production, Micro and Small Business and Cooperatives of Congress that no illegal fishing by foreign vessels has been detected in the Peruvian sea, he finally commented.

Foto: archivo

It is important to remember that a few days ago FIS (SeafoodMediaGroup) published a news item entitled "Artisanal fishermen: 'The shepherd abandons his sheep to visit the wolf'", in which the ethics and professional acceptability of Vice Admiral Sablich Luna Victoria accepting an invitation to travel to China at such a delicate time for the Peruvian squid sector was questioned.

On the other hand, fishermen's associations and business associations are still waiting for Minister Sergio Gonzáles Guerrero to comply with the announcement he made on July 28, regarding the prompt promulgation of a regulation that prevents more foreign vessels from entering the Peruvian sea without using the satellite devices required by the Ministry of Production.

Related News:

• SNI Fishing and Aquaculture Committee: 'I believe Peruvian artisanal fishermen'

• Unions demand the resignation of the Minister of Production for failure to keep promises and the uncontrolled presence of the Chinese squid fleet
• IN BRIEF - Artisanal Fishermen: 'The shepherd abandons his sheep to visit the wolf'



• Piura has great export potential in fishing and aquaculture, but must combat illegal fishing and modernize its infrastructure



• The invisible agenda of the giant squid
• IN BRIEF - Artisanal fishermen blame the new Mincetur minister, Úrsula Desilú León Chempén, for facilitating the entry of Chinese vessels



• Peru's artisanal fisheries declare Xi Jinping persona non grata and ask for intervention from President Dina Boluarte



• They denounce that illegal Chinese fleets cost Peru US$300 million



• 'We ask for speed in the regularization of fishing vessels that operate outside of 200 miles



• The deadline imposed by PRODUCE to issue regulations that end the questioned entry of Chinese ships into Peru is running out

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