June 27, 2008

 

Peru's new quota on anchovy fishing stirs concerns for fishmeal production 

Peru's government has proposed an individual quota system for an anchovy fishing, setting off heated opposition from some of the nation's fishing industry and stirring concerns on fishmeal production.

 

Fishmeal is made mainly from anchovies and Peru is the world's largest fishmeal exporter.

 

The Production Ministry says the new quotas will help conserve the anchovy population,

 

Earlier this month, the government proposed changing an annual universal quota for the anchovy catch to individual quotas, based on the previous hauls of each company.

 

Under the current system, there is no cap on individual anchovy hauls as long as the total for the year is within the overall quota.

 

The ministry argues that the proposed law will require closer inspections of the haul. 

 

Some fishing groups are in favor of the quotas, while others oppose them.

 

The new measures would ensure a sustainable resource for the fishermen, Jose Luis Bernuy Neyra, president of the Peru's National Association of Artisanal Fishermen, was quoted as saying in Lima daily La Republica on Thursday.

 

Some in the sector have complained that the measure will cause layoffs and favour large fishing companies, but Production Minister Rafael Rey said that is unlikely to happen.

 

He added that the government would provide a subsidy of 270 million soles (US$91 million) over five years, if the law is approved, to affected fishermen.

 

Fishing groups such as the Peruvian Fishing Shipowners Association and the Union of Anchovy Fishermen of the Port of Ilo, published a statement in newspapers on Thursday, disputing Minister Rey's claims. The groups, representing three-quarters of the fishing boats in the industry, say the current system has sustained the industry for the past half-century and that the proposed law should be debated in Congress and not be imposed with a legislative decree.