09:55 | Lima, Apr. 24 (ANDINA).
Anchovy biomass in the Peruvan sea is starting to recover, as it is shown through the results obtained during the latest exploration of this resource, according to a report from the Institute of Mar del Peru (Imarpe).
This recovery is the result of improved oceanographic conditions and of the set of protective measures adopted by the Ministry of Production (Produce), including low total allowable catch, fishing restrictions in areas with high incidence of juvenile specimens and low pressure within 10 nautical miles.
According to the latest report from the Imarpe, the amount of biomass in the north-central area is estimated in the range from 10.8 to 12.1 million tonnes.
Scientists say there was a growing cohort (crowd) of anchovy that was born in the summer of 2012, but it mostly failed in its reproductive process.
During the latest survey, there was no abundance of the population born in the winter of 2012, whose specimens have between six and eight centimetres in total length and are a half year old,
FIS.com reported.
In addition, the reproductive activity in the summer of this year was low and it was not observed throughout the survey, either.
Imarpe experts recommended the Produce to set a fishing quota of 2.05 million tonnes in the north-central region for the first season, beginning from the second half of May and running until 31 July. This quota was defined based on the lower limit of the biomass (10.8 million tonnes) and implementing a conservative exploitation rate.
To avoid catching juveniles, prevent discards and by-catch of other species, the Imarpe suggested continuing with control measures and monitoring fishing.
It also recommended the implementation of measures to reduce the underreporting of catches, reported the Produce.
"It is likely that this season closures will also be set given a possible transfer of juveniles," said the Vice Minister of Fisheries, Paul Phumpiu.
According to the data published by the newspaper La República, currently 64 per cent of the anchovies are in the north of the town of Salaverry, and 41 per cent of the biomass of this pelagic resource is juvenile.
(END) INT/LOG
Published: 4/24/2013