The following is a reproduction of an article published by La República:

 

 

—The entry of straddling resource ships is governed by Supreme Decree 016-2020, which requires them to have a satellite device compatible with that of Produce, the so-called SISESAT, the Satellite Tracking System. The standard has been complied with since 2020, but in May 2023, Produce stopped requiring the satellite device for vessels that use national ports; So, the fishing sector in general has protested. The current Produce authorities have drafted a Supreme Decree that would restore this obligation. The minister (Sergio González) announced, on July 28, that the standard was going to be published in the first half of August. However, we have been informed that this measure requires extra time.

 

 

 

 

—Allows vessels that use Peruvian ports not to carry out illegal activities and thus provide transparency.

 

 

—They point out that the regulatory impact analysis that the PCM is demanding must first be complied with. We hope that it will be fulfilled as soon as possible given the urgency of the claim. This year, artisanal squid fishing, the main fishing resource for human consumption in Peru, has had a drop of 71% between January and July compared to last year, and this coincides with the massive entry of Chinese vessels without satellite control.

 

 

 

 

—The fishing industry for human consumption, which employs tens of thousands of people, is going through the worst crisis in the last 30 years. We hope that the Government acts accordingly and quickly in the analysis (to regulate straddling vessels), if possible, in the next few hours or a few days.

 

 

—The Chinese fleet indicates that it does not carry out illegal activities, but according to artisanal fishermen, whom I do believe, they have been sighted on more than one occasion improperly fishing for squid in our maritime domain. If this were not the case, they should have no problems complying with this requirement. Satellite control does not prevent fishing, costs US$100 a month and is installed by an electrician in 45 minutes.

 

 

—From May 2023 until now, there are 251 registered Chinese ships that have entered Peruvian ports without having a satellite device on board. Outside the 200 miles there are also some Korean or Taiwanese ships that would be operating and that are also obliged to the same registration. Peru is the only country in the region that allows these Chinese ships to enter port, neither Ecuador, nor Chile, nor Argentina does. If Peru did not do it, they would have to travel 17,000 km to their ports, which would mean losing more than 60 effective days of fishing. We are not asking you not to enter, just to comply with this measure.

 

 

—What is at stake are many jobs, the sustenance of artisanal fishing and social peace in the country, which in the northern ports, where the largest squid fishing activity takes place, has already begun to break down. Peru has been a world leader in cephalopod fishing, with the giant squid and the Peruvian squid having the largest landings in the world within the group of cephalopods. That is, in addition to losing this leadership position, we put the artisanal fleet and the industry at risk. It must be remembered that squid represents 50% of Peru's fishery exports for human consumption and is the resource that generates the most employment, generating even more employment than anchovy itself. We are talking about approximately 60,000 people.

 

 

 

 

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