13:41 | Lima, Apr. 14 (ANDINA).
Peru’s Production Ministry has launched a measure aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of the anchovy over short-term profit as it is a fishery resource of main economic importance for the country.
First, it slashed the annual anchovy quota to just 734,000 tons. Subsequent measures have included a ban on industrial fishing within 10 miles of the coast in northern and central Peru, and 7 miles in southern Peru, to protect the anchovies’ breeding grounds.
Production Minister Gladys Triveno said that it have given permits to just 600 midsize boats to fish anchovy within 5 to 10 miles of its short. Fines can amount to US$3 million for some of the country’s largest fishing companies for catching baby anchovies.
“The Peruvian anchovy is in danger of disappearing,” warned President Ollanta Humala, as he justified the measures. “We recognize the irresponsibility and corruption of large companies that have pillaged the anchovy.”
Both the measures and the new combative tone from the government have received qualified support from environmentalists, businessinsider.com reported.
Carlos Yaipen-Llanos runs Orca, a Lima-based nonprofit dedicated to protecting marine mammals such as whales, dolphins and seals, many of which depend directly or indirectly on the anchovies.
The government needed to start thinking about saving the entire marine ecosystem rather than just individual species, he was quoted as saying on GlobalPost.
(END) INT/LOG
Published: 4/14/2013