How important is fishing for the Peruvian economy?
Fishing in Peru contributes approximately 2.5% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This year we are going to grow more than 3% because it has been very good for the sector. Due to the favorable weather conditions, the authorities made very correct decisions, on time and well informed by the Institute of the Sea of Peru (Imarpe).
What level of development does the sector have?
In the country, we have Imarpe, which is the scientific authority, the Ministry of Production, which is the one that administers us. Since the quota law was made, fishing has been absolutely regulated. We inform you after each load how much we are downloading and what size. All information comes online. It is such a good system that Yale and Columbia universities, in their environmental report, set us as an example to follow. And the FAO itself has recognized us in its SOFIA report as a fishing industry that should be followed by other fisheries in the world. This is an example that we are doing things well. The fishing sector is perfectly controlled, constantly reporting what it does and if all this works, Peru grows.
How much employment does fishing generate?
The fishing sector generates many jobs. We are talking about more than 250,000 jobs. Within that mass, there are 18,000 crew members and 3,500 mypes who make a living from this sector. Peru is a mining, agricultural and fishing country. Fishing is a super important sector that must be paid attention to.
How is the second season progressing?
This season began on November 1 and nearly 970,000 tons have already been caught, which is equivalent to 37% of the 2.51 million tons authorized. Although some days the catch decreases due to waves, we expect that the two seasons will generate foreign exchange of approximately US$2.8 billion. This income allows us to build schools, hospitals and other essential infrastructure, generating well-being for the country.
What expectations do you have for this campaign?
We aspire to complete the assigned quota. According to Imarpe, the biomass for this second season is 8 million tons, a level close to the historical average of 9 or 10 million. We are the first interested in taking care of biomass. Regarding this biomass, according to Imarpe recommendations, the Ministry of Production establishes the quota of which we have reached 37%. If our expectations are met and we achieve everything assigned, major problems would be resolved due to the very hard blow that fishing suffered in 2023 due to climatic factors. Last year was probably the worst year in the history of fishing, but 2024, thanks to good decisions, good favorable weather, we are recovering. However, we are going to have to wait until 2025 to get out of the hard blow we had.
And we are talking not only about the blow to large companies…
When there is no fishing, all the crew members, all the families and the entire productive chain of 3,500 SMEs are hit. So, each company—because that is not managed in a union manner—has faced the hard blow of 2023 with its ship crews, but also with the workers on the plant. The recovery is advancing, 2024 is being a good year, I hope we finish quite well, and 2025 has to be good too to stabilize us and be able to continue contributing to the development of the country.
Are adjustments required?
Look, what is being improved, and it is a good move that Congress made, is a law so that Imarpe can have new scientific vessels with the latest technology. That is important to strengthen the institution. Fortunately, the current administration, the Minister of Production and his entire team, are giving him the support he deserves. This institution carries out studies and research cruises to see how the biomass is, how much there is, and how it is developing. This provides the Ministry of Production with information to make decisions. Everything should be handled based on science, not what I have been told or what I believe…
What is expected in 2025?
We anticipate that the second fishing season will conclude in mid-January. The next season will open when Imarpe returns to study. It seems that the weather will continue to be favorable and that we will be able to go fishing for a fairly good first season.
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