June 21, 2006

Peru places ban on anchovy fishing after quota met
 

Peru has placed a ban on fishing for anchovy, which went into effect Monday, although processing of the catch can take place until early Tuesday, the government said.

Peru had set a three million tonne anchovy quota for the total March to July fishing season.

The government temporarily closed that season before reopening it on June 6.

It said that a quota of 1.13 million tonnes of anchovy was then reached since the season was reopened.

Peru regularly imposes bans on anchovy fishing to protect the stocks based on findings from the scientific research agency, Imarpe.

The total anchovy haul was 8.5 million tonnes in 2005.

Peru is the world's largest producer and exporter of fishmeal, made mainly from anchovy and used chiefly as an animal feed. Processing of anchovy also has a strong effect on manufacturing in Peru.