INACTIVE Peruvian Hake

Last Update: March 2020*

*This FIP has been reactivated by FIP partners in February 2017.  The FIP had been suspended in December 2014.

Species: Peruvian hake (Merluccius gayi peruanus)

Reactivated FIP Stage according to CASS progress table: 4, FIP is delivering improvements in policies or practices

FIP Rating according to the MSC benchmarking Tool: Actual (0.83, Feb 2020)

FIP Rating according to SFP rating tool: (Exceptional Progress, January 2020)

FIP Profile at FisheryProgress.org:  Peruvian hake – industrial bottom trawl (March 2020)

Código de Conducta Ambiental [ver]

Fishery Location: FAO Area 87.  Peruvian waters between parallels 03°30’S and 06°00’S.

FIP Coordination:

If you would like more information about the FIP or if you wish to support it, please contact Carmen Guerrero.

FIP Participants:

• AGROPESCA SA
• ARCOPA
• Compania Pesquera Pepa SAC
• Consorcio CORPESCA DEXIM SRL
• Chu Wong Shwu Miin
• Marpesca SAC
• Pacific Freezing Company SAC
• Pesquera Terranova SA
• Santa Monica
• Seafrost SAC
• Tassara Ortiz Horacio Eduardo
• CeDePesca

Sustainability Information: FishSource – Peruvian hake

Reactivation Announced:  February 2017

First Announced: 2009 (formally, the FIP ran from 2010 until December 2014).

Current Improvement Recommendations:

• Adopt a target reference point and long-term goals related to the status of the stock.
• Further improve transparency of the harvest strategy and the stock assessment methodologies.
• Improve coordination with Ecuador, considering this seems to be a shared stock.
• Better understand the fishery’s impacts on the ecosystem.
• Continue to minimize illegal fishing and underreporting practices in the fishery.

Within the extremely variable conditions of the Southeastern Pacific, this bottom-trawling Peruvian fishery had reached peaks of 300,000 metric tons in 1978 and 230,000 metric tons in 1996, and a minimum of 6,000 metric tonnes in 1983.  After a new peak occurred in 2001, when Peruvian hake landings were 130,000 metric tons, the fishery started showing signs of depletion and it was closed in 2003. As of 2004, landings have been stabilized around 35,000 metric tons.

According to IMARPE reports, the stock was depleted until 2008 and barely recovered in 2009 to a level over critical limits, although an experts’ panel held in 2009 maintained that the stock continued to be in a critical condition and recommended landings under 13,000 tonnes.

The Peruvian hake (Merluccius gayi peruanus) fishery takes place in the north of Peru and part of the stock inhabits an area crossing the Ecuador-Peru border.  The port city of Paita accounts for almost all Peruvian landings, giving this fishery considerable socio-economic importance for that community. There is also a small artisanal (row boats and gillnets) hake fishery in Peru that represents less than 5 percent of landings.  It should be noted that Ecuador initiated a trawling fishery for hake in 2013.

Given that the fishery’s products are exported mainly to Northern European markets, the Peruvian stakeholders in this fishery expressed interest in attaining an MSC certification.  In 2011, after having been working informally on a FIP with CeDePesca since 2009, the Peruvian hake Sub-Committee of the National Society of Industry (Subcomité de merluza de la Sociedad Nacional de Industria, PSC-SNI) signed a formal agreement is FIP.  Unfortunately, given changes in the political climate in the country, the FIP partners decided to suspend the FIP in December 2014.  It should be noted that at this time, a stock assessment conducted by CeDePesca technical team with support from the industry had confirmed the recovery trend of the stock and established that landings should be at or below 42,500 tonnes in 2015 to keep this trend ongoing.

In 2017, having renewed their commitment to this FIP, eleven companies grouped in the SNI have decided to reactivate this project with the aim of attaining MSC certification in 2019.

Key issues in this fishery:

• A target reference point should be explicitly established.
• Although management and research are strong in general, the harvest strategy is not sufficiently transparent.
• A better understanding of the impacts on the seabed and benthic community is needed.
• Some level of coordination is needed between Peru and Ecuador, given that Ecuador has been operating a Peruvian hake fishery since 2013.
• There are reports of unreported and illegal fishing that could hamper the recovery of the Peruvian hake stock.

Reactivated FIP Objectives:

• Adopt a target reference point.
• Include relevant information from the Ecuadorian fishery into the harvest strategy and the stock assessments.
• Increase the transparency of the harvest strategy.
• Close information gaps related to the impact of the fishery on other ecosystem components, and adopt mitigation measures, if necessary.
• Achieve regular exchanges between Ecuador and Peru regarding the Peruvian hake fisheries.
• Adopt explicit long-term goals related to the stock status and the impacts of the fishery on the ecosystem.
• Find solutions to minimize illegal and unreported fishing.
• Achieve regular external peer review of the stock assessment methodology.

[Reactivation of the FIP occurred in February 2017]

2009

In February 2009, the profile of this fishery was available publicly on FishSource.com and CeDePesca engaged in talks with authorities, fishers, and industry representatives to promote improvements for this fishery.

2010

In June 2010, the Peruvian Hake Subcommittee of the National Society of Industries (PSC-NSI) signed a framework collaboration agreement with CeDePesca to formalize this FIP.

In August 2010, an MSC pre-assessment was completed by Bureau Veritas.

In December 2010, an improvement plan was prepared and agreed between FIP partners. The main issues addressed in the improvement plan were better understanding of ecosystem impacts and transparency.

2011

In March 2011, CeDePesca, together with the PSC-NSI, received funding from the Sustainable Fisheries Fund (SFF, a program of the Resources Legacy Fund) to implement the improvement plan. CeDePesca had secured support from IMARPE and from researchers at the University of Piura, who would have conducted several analyses to fill the information gaps highlighted by the pre-assessment.  Unfortunately, the political climate was unstable through 2011 and in early 2012, CeDePesca decided to ask for the suspension of the grant and all monies were returned to the grantor.

Discussions with new government authorities were promising in regard to making the stock assessment public by the end of 2011. IMARPE provided a link to the 2009 experts’ panel report that until then had been considered confidential.  IMARPE also embarked on an update of the stock assessment model; however, in October 2011 IMARPE’s staff had changed and the agreement on transparency could not be put in place.

2012

January – March 2012

During this quarter, CeDePesca was accepted as part of the Cross-Sectoral Working Group for the Recovery of Hake constituted by PRODUCE and comprising PRODUCE, IMARPE, the industry, and fishermen unions to establish a management and recovery strategy for hake, taking account of biological, social, and economic issues. The cross-sectoral working group met once a week in the cities of Lima and Paita until March 21.

April – June 2012

In April 2012, CeDePesca sent a letter to the Vice-Minister of Fisheries encouraging transparency of science.

During May 2012, PRODUCE and IMARPE once again went through a change in leadership. CeDePesca had conversations with the PSC-NSI to restart the implementation of the improvement plan.

Between April and June 2012, the TAC was increased twice as a result of a strong protest by fishermen and fishery workers in Paita that left two dead protesters and many more injured. At first, the option for PRODUCE was the upper limit of the IMARPE recommendation, 14,723 metric tons. In June, after considering the results and recommendations of new research conducted by IMARPE, PRODUCE raised the fishing quota to 25,800 tonnes –still a 25% decrease in relation to the 2011 TAC.

July – September 2012

In August 2012, the PSC-NSI carried out an international workshop on the “Situation, Evaluation and Sustainability of Peruvian Hake” with the participation of CeDePesca and government officials. The workshop concluded that the hake stock has shown some increase in biomass. However, this could be associated with favorable environmental conditions for hake, and, therefore, more assessment efforts are needed, perhaps in the form of a joint scientific survey between Peru and Ecuador.

In September 2012, CeDePesca developed and sent a paper to the PSC-NSI listing the current actions to take to relaunch the fishery improvement program of the hake fishery. Formal and informal conversations continued with the PSC-NSI, PRODUCE, and IMARPE officials to restart the implementation of the improvement plan.

October – December 2012

In December 2012, PRODUCE established the TAC for January–June 2013 at 13,748 metric tons, indicating that IMARPE would conduct an assessment survey in May 2013. The survey will measure the total biomass, and therefore allow establishment of a new TAC for the period July 2013 – June 2014 (the “biological year”), taking account of the life cycle of hake.

2013

January – March 2013

Since May 2012, the Cross-Sectoral Working Group for the Recovery of Hake constituted by PRODUCE had no meetings because PRODUCE, who chairs the group, decided not to call for them. CeDePesca has on several occasions requested the reactivation of the working group.

On March 26, PRODUCE implemented a spawning season closure of the hake fishery.

April – June 2013

In May 2013, an IMARPE cruiser reported an improvement in hake biomass, with an increased abundance from 195,000 to 276,000 metric tons and a better size structure – as referenced in PRODUCE Ministerial Resolution 220/2013.  This technical report has not yet been made public.

In June 2013, PRODUCE established a TAC of 38,957 tonnes for the “biological year” taking place from July 2013 to June 2014.  All complementary measures relating to spatial, seasonal, and size restrictions are kept in place.

By the end of June 2013, the PSC-NSI contacted CeDePesca in order to reinitiate the FIP. CeDePesca sent a new Improvement Plan, which was approved by FIP partners.

July – September 2013

In August 2013, all Peruvian hake producers and CeDePesca held a meeting in Paita to relaunch the FIP. It was established that main activities will be oriented toward ensuring collaboration with the new hake fishery in Ecuador and achieving transparency from IMARPE and PRODUCE regarding stock assessments and management decisions.

In August 2013, CeDePesca staff met with IMARPE and PRODUCE officials to discuss transparency. The CeDePesca delegation was told that IMARPE is working to establish protocols for publication of scientific information. Nevertheless, a request to IMARPE for information on transparency regulations yielded unsatisfactory results.

In September 2013, a delegation from the industry (PSC-NSI) participated in a bi-national (Peru and Ecuador) fishing sector meeting, where the need for further collaboration between the industry and governments of both countries was included in the meeting’s final statement. A new high-level meeting, to which CeDePesca has been invited, will take place in the last quarter of 2013.

Also in September 2013, PRODUCE issued Ministerial Resolution N° 283-2013-PRODUCE declaring the spawning season closure of the fishery as of September 16 and until further notice. The artisanal activity with bottom longlines is permitted on an intermittent basis to provide for monitoring the spawning season.

October – December 2013

In October, CeDePesca received IMARPE’s latest stock assessment after repeatedly asking for it through the transparency mechanisms provided by PRODUCE and IMARPE since August 2013.

PRODUCE authorized an exploratory cruise to be conducted October 28–30 by IMARPE with participation of the industry (Ministerial Resolution N° 313-2013-PRODUCE).

Through Ministerial Resolution N° 336-2013-PRODUCE, the closure that began in September with Ministerial Resolution N° 283-2013-PRODUCE ended as of November 18th in the area between the northern limit with Ecuador and parallel 4°S. The area between parallels 4°S and 6°S remained closed until December 13th because of the presence of juvenile specimens.

2014

January – March 2014

In January, during the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization meeting that took place in Manta (Ecuador), CeDePesca took the opportunity to talk to Ecuador’s Vice-Minister of Fisheries regarding the need for closer coordination in management and science between Ecuador and Peru. Unfortunately, similar talks did not take place with Peru’s Vice-Minister of Fisheries, who also attended this meeting.

In February, the PCS-NSI decided to conduct an exploratory operation following protocols used by IMARPE during its own exploratory cruises, which are usually conducted with industry participation. The PCS-NSI is partnering with the University of Piura in this endeavor. The goal is to collect data to carry out an independent stock assessment. Two exploratory missions were conducted in February and early March.

In March, CeDePesca prepared a proposal to the Resources Legacy Fund to try to ensure additional funds to continue advancing this project. In particular, to support the analysis of the data collected during the exploratory missions and to continue promoting some level of coordination in management and science between Ecuador and Peru regarding Peruvian hake, especially considering Ecuador’s 2013 longline fishery launch.

Also in March, CeDePesca took part in a binational congress organized by artisanal fishermen in Lobitos. During this event, stakeholders in the artisanal sector were contacted in order to explore collaboration opportunities.

April – June 2014

In April, PRODUCE issued Ministerial Resolution N° 012-2014-PRODUCE, authorizing extraction of five thousand tons of hake, from the north end of Peru to 6°S latitude, as part of the Total Allowable Catch to be set for the biological year of this species (June 2014 – June 2015).

In June, CeDePesca organized a workshop in Lima about Transparency and Access to Public Information in Fisheries.  The workshop aimed at promoting the fundamental right of access to public information and transparency, which are essential for efficient and effective fisheries’ governance. Important panelists from Peru, Chile and Argentina contributed their points of view and encouraged transparent practices on fisheries research.

In June, IMARPE finished its hake survey.  The assessment confirmed that the Peruvian hake’s biomass has continued increasing, although the age structure is still weak, based on age 2. The Peruvian hake’s biomass was estimated at 400,114 metric tons, with 87% present southward from parallel 7°S. Based on these results, PRODUCE issued Ministerial Resolution No. 214-2014, establishing the provisional fisheries regime for the hake Fishery, since July 2014 to July 2015, bestowing a TAC of 47,129 metric tons.

Also in June, the first meeting of the Bi-National Monitoring Committee between IMARPE (Peru) and INP (Ecuador) was held.  The most relevant agreements were:

The first bi-national workshop for methodological standardization of hake’s biological variables will be held in Peru (Tumbes and Paita) in October or November 2014.

Coordinators from both countries will perform several activities together and exchange technical knowledge concerning the evaluation of other species.

The next Monitoring Committee’s meeting will be held in June 2015.

July – September 2014

In August, PRODUCE established a closure between parallels 4°30’S and 6°S (Ministerial Resolution N° 290-2014-PRODUCE), in order to avoid disturbances to the reproductive process.

Along this quarter, CeDePesca and the PSC-SNI worked together to create a database in order to allow a better understanding of the status of the stock.

In September, CeDePesca’s staff went onboard of a fishing vessel to verify length structure, by-catch and discards. The observed length structure showed the same features already reported by IMARPE, and it was possible to verify that the level of by-catch is very low (less than 5% of total catch) and that discards are almost inexistent.

October – December 2014

In October, CeDePesca organized the meeting “Information Exchange: Peru – Ecuador” in Lima. Technical staff from Ecuador shared information related to the 2013 fishing season with Peruvian colleagues from PRODUCE and IMARPE.

In October, PRODUCE established a new closure zone for Peruvian hake’s spawning season.  The area closed ranged from the northern border of the Peruvian Sea to parallel 4°30’S (Ministerial Resolution N° 322-2014-PRODUCE). PRODUCE also authorized IMARPE to execute a two days survey between Talara (04º30’S) and Punta Negra (06º00’S) (Ministerial Resolution N° 323-2014-PRODUCE).

Along October, CeDePesca and the PSC-SNI continued building the database

In November, PRODUCE ended the spawning closure. (Ministerial Resolution N° 394-2014-PRODUCE).

In December 2014, CeDePesca turned in a stock assessment conducted by its technical team under supervision of a renowned international fishery researcher.  The stock assessment was conducted with support from the industry.  This stock assessment confirmed the recovery trend of the stock. It also suggests that the limit reference point should be established at 300,000 metric tons, and reveals that the current status is slightly over this point with an increasing trend. The age structure of the population is still very weak, composed mainly by fish under 3 years old.  The paper established that landings should be at or below 42,500 tonnes in 2015 to keep the rebuilding trend ongoing.

In late December, because of changes in the political climate of the country, FIP partners decided that, although great progress had been made in 2014, it was necessary to suspend this project until conditions improve.

2016

October – December 2016

Eleven companies that have stakes at the Peruvian hake fishery and that are grouped under the PSC-SNI contacted CeDePesca with the intention of reactivating this FIP.  CeDePesca devised an Action Plan for 2017 and it was enriched with the opinion of FIP partners.

2017

January – March 2017

Eleven companies have agreed to sign individual specific agreements to commit themselves to contributing to this project.  The preliminary Action Plan for 2017 has been approved and includes 5 Actions and nine tasks.  The actions include publicly announcing the reactivation of the FIP, updating the MSC pre-assessment, promoting the necessary improvements in management and research, implementing an Onboard Observers Program and starting the MSC full assessment process when the improvement goals have been achieved.  The Specific Agreements and the preliminary Action Plan can be found in the FIP’s Progress Table (see link below).

In February, CeDePesca prepared and presented a proposal to the Global Sustainability Fisheries Fund (GFSF).  The proposed project seeks for complimentary funds to reinforce the Onboard Observers Program that is to be implemented as a private initiative during a 12-month period as contemplated in the Action Plan, and, in addition, to conduct an ERAEF workshop to promote awareness regarding this fishery’s potential impact over other ecosystem component.  Unfortunately, the proposal was not selected for funding.

In March, CeDePesca designed a protocol for data collection to be used by the Onboard Observers Program that will be implemented as a private initiative.  The Program will collect data on the interaction of the industrial fishery with non-target species and other ecosystem components.  Also, an onboard observer with experience on the Peruvian hake fishery was selected.

Also in March, during the Seafood Expo North America, CeDePesca informed on the reactivation of the FIP.

April – June 2017

On April 20th, the private Onboard Observers Program started to be implemented onboard industrial vessels based in Paita.

Also in April, FIP partners participated from meetings at the Seafood Expo Global in Brussels with Iglo and Findus to discuss the project.

On May 10th, CeDePesca met with IMARPE’s Executive-Scientific Director.  At this meeting, the key sustainability issues were discussed as well as the improvements necessary in regards to fishery science.  As a result, IMARPE committed itself to collaborating with research activities planned by this FIP, as of the second semester of 2017.

On May 11th, a meeting was held with the Vice-Minister of Fisheries to present the FIP objectives.  PRODUCE officials kindly offered additional information regarding their follow-up and monitoring procedures for the Peruvian hake fishery.  At this meeting, potential ways to improve coordination with Ecuador were also discussed.

On May 15th, the onboard observer received training from IMARPE regarding identification of top predators.  Also, data collection forms were homologated to those in use by IMARPE, in order to ensure compatibility.

In late June, CeDePesca held a meeting with the Vice-Minister of Fisheries to talk about obstacles to the achievement of a certifiable status for this fishery, including the need of including assessment models to estimate total biomass and the need of including data regarding the Ecuadorian fishery into the estimation of fishing quotas.

During this quarter, CeDePesca continued to work on the update of the MSC Pre-Assessment for the Peruvian hake fishery that was originally conducted by Bureau Veritas in 2010.  Information

July – September 2017

On July 17th, in Piura, FIP partners shared the project’s progress and objectives to the Sectorial Working Group that is in charge of analyzing the status of the Peruvian hake fishery and of proposing measures to improve management of the fishery’s artisanal sector.

On July 21st, an agreement was signed between the University of Piura’s Fishing Engineering Faculty and CeDePesca.  The agreement aims at implementing research and capacity-building activities in relation to Fishery Improvement Projects.

On September 1st, CeDePesca held a meeting with representatives from the Ecuadorian Undersecretariat of Fishery Resources.  At this meeting, the Peruvian hake FIP was discussed and collaboration was sought.  Follow-up meetings will be held in the following months.

Regarding the creation of an ad-hoc working group to coordinate activities related to the FIP, on July 18th and on August 29th, Paita Corporation formally requested to PRODUCE the creation of such group.  The Working Group was officially set up on September 19th, and is formed by representatives from PRODUCE, IMARPE, SNI and CeDePesca.  During the first meeting of the Working Group, CeDePesca presented the improvement needed to attain a certifiable status against the MSC standard.  In addition, IMARPE informed that it would be relevant to update the bilateral agreement between Ecuador and Peru to continue conducting information exchange workshops related to the fishery.  Furthermore, a decision was made to select an international expert to collaborate with IMARPE in assessing different biologic reference points for Peruvian hake.

Also during this quarter, CeDePesca completed the update of the MSC Pre-Assessment originally conducted by Bureau Veritas in 2010 (see detailed FIP Progress Update at the link below) and presented its results to members of the Working Group on September 22nd to allow for comments.

Regarding the fishery, in August, PRODUCE established the closure that protects Peruvian hake’s spawning process.

October – December 2017

The second meeting of the ad-hoc Working Group took place on November 23rd.  PRODUCE informed that a meeting was held with the Ecuadorian Ministry of Aquaculture and Fishing to speed up the data exchange and learn the level of Peruvian hake landings in Ecuadorian waters.  IMARPE informed that dynamic assessment models based on age structure have been developed.  CeDePesca presented a preliminary report on the private Onboard Observers Program.

Regarding the aforementioned Program, preliminary results show that out of 112 hauls observed as of April, 27% show interaction with the sea bottom.  In addition, primary and secondary species –as defined by the MSC standard—represent 0.9% of the total observed catch.

Regarding the data exchange process between Ecuador and Peru, on December 14th, IMARPE prepared an inquiry and PRODUCE has formally requested the information to the Ministry of Ecuador through the Peruvian Office of the Chancellor.

2018

January – February 2018

The third meeting of the ad-hoc Working Group took place on January 10th.  A decision was made to organize a workshop with stakeholders to discuss the possibility of implementing an origin certificate as a requirement for the transportation of Peruvian hake coming from the artisanal sector and to discuss methods to estimate unreported fishing.  On the other hand, a representative from PRODUCE’s General Office for Monitoring and Surveillance made a presentation on control efforts and mechanisms set up for the fishery’s industrial sector.

Regarding data exchange efforts, in the end of January, PRODUCE received a communication from the Fisheries National Institute of Ecuador.  Data shows estimated landings of less than 1200 metric tons fished in 2017, representing less than 2% of Peruvian landings.

Regarding the selection of biological reference points, the selected international expert, Mr. Héctor Cordo, visted IMARPE from February 4th to 8th.  During the visit, the models in use by IMARPE were discussed, as were suggestions for the selection and implementation of biological reference points.  The main conclusion was that, as expected, IMARPE possesses the necessary data in sufficient quality and quantity, to advance towards more sophisticated assessment models.  Also, suggestions were made regarding improvements to the models and ways to include uncertainty factors.  IMARPE later informed that an international panel of experts is to be conducted during the second semester of 2018 to further discuss biological reference points appropriate for Peruvian hake.

The agreed timeframe for the implementation of the FIP’s Action Plan has ended on February 14th.  Currently, partners are discussing the extension of the FIP and ways of moving forward with improvement actions.

On March 9, the fourth meeting of the Working Group was held. One of the issues was to evaluate the information on hake landings shared by the National Fisheries Institute of Ecuador; the conclusion of the group was that for the moment it was not imperative to promote shared management of the fishery, although it is necessary to maintain the exchange of information regularly. Also, during this meeting the workshop agenda was improved to minimize the unreported fishing and the number of illegal vessels in the fishery.

April – June 2018

At the end of April CeDePesca prepared a sheet with the objectives of the PROME, progress made and next steps to achieve a certifiable status of the fishery. In this last item, it was considered necessary to (1) Establish limit and objective biological reference points, and based on this, the Protocol defining the hake catch quota should be prepared, (2) Prepare a proposal so that the specific management system include explicit long-term objectives related to the status of the population and impacts on the ecosystem, and (3) Organize an inter-institutional workshop to quantify and find ways to minimize unreported fishing in the hake fishery.

July – September 2018

At the end of July, due to the coordination between the SNI and PRODUCE and the processes of transparency to the information, it was possible to have access to the report called “Current situation of the hake in the Peruvian coast” where the Biological Reference Points are defined. Likewise, it is concluded that the hake has gone from a situation of overexploitation to full exploitation and it is expected that in the following years it will be possible to consolidate the recovery of the fishery with a better diversification of the size structure.
On August 6, the “Inter-institutional Discussion at the University of Piura” was held to minimize the unreported fishing and the number of illegal vessels in the fishery. The representatives of Piura and Tumbes through PRODUCE and the DIREPROs explained the supervision and operation of the registry of landings from the industrial and artisanal fleet, and recommendations were received to estimate and minimize unreported fishing.

On August 14, during the first part of the Fifth Meeting of the Working Group, CeDePesca shared the final results of the Private Observer Program on board. It was estimated that the total bycatch observed between April 2017 and February 2018 was 18,286.6 kg corresponding to 1.96% of the total catch. Regarding the interaction with top predators, interactions with sea lions and sea birds were recorded, among which are the inca tern, the magnificent frigate and the blue-footed booby. Regarding the preliminary results of the Spatial Analysis and Consequences for the hake fishery, it is estimated that in general terms the score is medium; the fishery is within the range of 60 – 79 points under the score scale of the MSC Standard. These results show that despite being a bottom trawl fishery, the results are significantly positive.
On August 15, in the second part of the Fifth Meeting of the Working Group, IMARPE confirmed that it is already working on a Protocol for the decision on the hake catch quota, the commitment was estimated for the second semester of this year.

October – December 2018

On November 27, CeDePesca had a meeting with the representatives of the Peruvian Society of Environmental Law (SPDA for Spanish initials) and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) to discuss the feasibility of formalizing artisanal fishermen, without affecting the sustainability of the population or undermine the management of the fishery.

At the beginning of December, IMARPE published the Protocol called “Elaboration of the sensitivity table for the estimation of the Total Allowable Catch for the hake resource – Merluccius gayi peruanus“. The procotol defines the procedure for estimating the status of the stock and the prospects for exploitation. Also, the objective biological reference points will be applied in 200 thousand tons of minimum spawning biomass for each reproductive period and a level of exploitation of F0.1, likewise, as limit biological reference points a spawning biomass of 100 thousand is considered tons and an Fmax.

2019

January – March 2019

At the beginning of January, the Ministry of Production, in collaboration with the Public Ministry, developed and published an Interdiction protocol N° 05-2019-MP-FN referring to the extraction and / or processing of aquatic species. This protocol establishes the coordination procedure and roles of the entities to combat illegal activities.

During February, the companies associated with the Peruvian Hake Fisheries Improvement Project signed a binding Code of Environmental Conduct that establishes the principles for minimizing environmental impacts in hake operations. The strategy is constituted by the following measures: a) Annual evaluation of the impacts of the fishery on the ecosystem in general; b) Encourage corrective measures, if necessary; c) Record the capture of non-target species; d) Carry out tests with devices excluding marine mammals; e) Comply with regulations to preserve species ETPs and f) Record and report on the fishing footprint on habitats.

During the month of March, the design of a sea lions-excluding device began. The developed prototype allows hake to enter and prevents sea lions from getting trapped in the trawl. It is expected to start soon with a pilot test of the device.

At the end of March CeDePesca updated the pre-assesment of this fishery.

April – June 2019

In April, the training for students of the National University of Piura was completed. In the first training the students understood the importance of the Observer Program, how the information is recorded on board and the structure of the database. During the second they learned about the habitats and main taxonomic groups of species that interact with the hake fishery. Two students will be chosen to begin their internship in July, for this reason they will receive an induction. Students will participate in the Private Program and the pilot test of the sea lions-exclusion device at the time it takes place.

Due to the progressive advances in the PROME, the fishery reached a certifiable status, so the companies decided to enter a complete evaluation under the MSC Standard. After evaluating the proposals, the companies chose the Bureau Veritas certifier to carry out the evaluation.

From April to July the fishery will be in a preparation stage before entering a full evaluation under the MSC Standard.

On June 27, PRODUCE established the TAC for the period July 2019 – June 2020, at fifty-eight thousand seven hundred sixty-six (58,766) tons.

July – September 2019

In August the final report of the CSA #2 was published.

At the end of September, the sea lion exclusion device was installed in the trawl. The device has an entrance for all species, however, there is an inclined mesh ramp that works as a barrier for sea lions. When sea lions enter the trawl, they will collide with the ramp and would escape because there is an opening on top.

The full evaluation of the fishery continues.

October – December 2019

The full assessment of this fishery against the MSC Standard continues.

2020

January – March 2020

Due to the commitment of the PRODUCE authorities with the FIP, during the month of January they shared information about the hake fishery so that Bureau Veritas continues with full assessment.