Fishermen from the provinces of Paita and Sechura protested yesterday in Piura to demand more control of Chinese vessels. Citizens reported that 1,500 ships carry out extractive activities in the Peruvian sea, harming them in various ways.
More than 500 artisanal fishermen from the provinces of Piura, Sechura and Paita, in the Piura region, protested very early in the morning to demand that the Executive Branch exercise greater control over Chinese vessels entering the 200 miles of Peruvian sea.
Speaking to RPP, leader Carlos Bayona denounced that Asian vessels are destroying the coast through massive fishing of squid.
“We are demanding a right as artisanal fishermen. Chinese ships invade and depredate our sea. That is why we demand that this Government stop any more abuses, that we defend our 200 miles,” he said.
The leader commented that in Piura alone there are thousands of fishermen affected by the presence of Chinese vessels.
“They started fishing for hammerhead sharks and we no longer have that species because they depredated it. They came to take out the fins and the sharks threw them into the sea,” he added.
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The protesters claimed that the presence of these vessels is contributing to the depredation of the sea.
Carlos Bayona said that hundreds of fishermen in the region have been affected by this activity.
“We don’t want any more Asian ships. We don’t want accommodation because those two ships, these goals are what they are perhaps fining, but we in our state are punished,” he said.
As a reminder, the National Society of Artisanal Fishing of Peru (SONAPESCAL) warned that in recent weeks there has been an increase in the entry of Chinese vessels into Peruvian ports without using the SISESAT satellite tracking device, a tool required by the Peruvian authorities to monitor and control fishing operations.
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According to data from the union, more than 240 incursions by Chinese vessels have been recorded since May 2023.
“This problem began on that date thanks to irresponsible actions by the previous administration of the Ministry of Production,” reads a statement issued on July 22.
These incidents, which began in May 2023, have raised concerns due to the alleged lack of control by previous administrations of the Ministry of Production (Produce).
However, according to the Harbor Master’s Office, the six specimens that were in the national sea had the necessary authorization and were only there to carry out the crew change. However, fishermen continue to fear that illegal activities are taking place.
