December 6, 2010

Peru enacts temporary anchovy ban

Peru's Ministry of Production (Produce) has suspended as of Friday (Dec 3), and for five consecutive days, the fishing of anchovy (Engraulis ringens) and longnose anchovy (Anchoa nasus) in the area of Casma, Punta Bermejo, and Pisco in order to protect juvenile fish.

Produce acted on the recommendation of the Peruvian Institute of Marine Affairs (Imarpe), whose experts found that from 28-29 November, there was a large number of juvenile anchovy in the area.

Imarpe advised preventive measures for the protection of juveniles of anchovy for a period of no less than five days in these areas.

During the final days of November, observers of the Fishing Logbook Program recorded that structure sizes ranged from between 6.5-16.5 centimeters in length, with a rate of juveniles of between 24%-33%.

In another location, the size range varied between 7.0-17.5 centimeters in length, and the incidence rate of juveniles ranged between 36%-45 %.

Moreover, in the same period, Imarpe claims that around 220,000 tonnes of anchovy was landed in the northern-central Peruvian coast.

The highest catches were recorded in the port of Chimbote, Callao, Pisco, and Chancay, which included between 320 and 350 boats.