Peruvian anchovy

Engraulis ringens

2: Best Choice How we work out the ratings

What to check for

Location

Peruvian North-Central Stock

Technical location

Pacific, Southeast, All areas

Caught by

Net (purse seine or ring)

Rating summary

The stock of Peruvian anchovy is underfished and is not subject to overfishing. There are some strong management measures in place, though these can be undermined by a lack of transparency in stock assessments, and policies based on a lack of scientific evidence. Peruvian anchovy is caught by purse seiners in northern central Peru. There is little to no impact on ecosystems and bycatch does not appear to be significant..Rating last updated November 2024.

Technical consultation summary

The stock of Peruvian anchovy is underfished and is not subject to overfishing. Management is partially effective, some but not all relevant management measures are in place. Catches remain below TACs, and several strong management measures are in place. However, key issues include the lack of clear scientific advice or evidence-based TACs , a harvest control rule, and a comprehensive plan covering all fleets. Peruvian anchovy is caught by purse seiners in northern central Peru. There is little to no impact on ecosystems and bycatch does not appear to be significant. Improved reporting on bycatch and evidence of gear interactions with the seabed are needed, along with assessments of the effectiveness of existing environmental protections.

How we worked out this Rating

Peruvian anchovy in the Peruvian North-Central Stock is not subject to overfishing and is not overfished.Stock assessments are carried out by the Marine Research Institute of Peru (IMARPE). The most recent stock assessment was published in 2023 using data up to the same year. The stock assessment defines reference points for fishing pressure (F) and biomass (B). For fishing pressure, there is a target to keep F at or below Maximum Sustainable Yield (FMSY). For biomass, there is a target to keep B at or above BMSY.Total biomass (SSB) of Peruvian anchovy or anchoveta in this northern-central stock was estimated at 6.45 million tonnes between February and April 2023, which is lower than estimates in 2021 and 2022 (averaging 9.85 million tonnes). Spawning stock biomass has remained above Bmsy (5.09 million tonnes). Therefore, there is no concern for biomass.Fishing mortality (F) in 2023 has also been reported as below the reference point target fishing mortality (FMSY) of 1.14. As fishing mortality is reported below FMSY there is no concern for fishing pressure.Recruitment for the stock is influenced by environmental and oceanic conditions such as El Niño and La Niña, which may, alongside fishing pressure, affect the SSB of the species, particularly under a changing climate. Surveys for the area indicate that high proportions of juveniles in recent years indicating that the stock is renewing.

Management is partially effective, some but not all relevant management measures are in place.Catches remain below TACs, and several strong management measures are in place. However, key issues include the lack of clear scientific advice, a harvest control rule, and a comprehensive plan covering all fleets.Peruvian fisheries are managed by the Ministry of Production (PRODUCE) and the Vice-Ministry of Fisheries, with scientific advice provided by IMARPE. Anchoveta management uses an adaptive system to address high ecosystem variability and biomass fluctuations. In 2022, catches totalled 4.24 million tonnes, 16% below the TAC, but there is no evidence that TACs are informed by scientific recommendations.Effective management measures include a minimum landing size (12cm), minimum mesh size (13mm), spatial closures within 5nm of the coast for industrial vessels, temporary closures to protect juveniles, effort controls (e.g., one trip per day, satellite monitoring), and discard bans for artisanal fisheries. Additional precautions include early season closures, reduced TACs, and cancellations of fishing seasons, such as the suspension of the first season in 2023 due to high juvenile presence.Despite these measures, the lack of evidence-based TACs, absence of a harvest control rule, and inadequate fleet-wide management remain significant concerns. IUU fishing is also a challenge but is estimated to account for only 2-4% of landings, aided by observer programs and port inspections.

Peruvian anchovy is caught by purse seiners in northern central Peru. There is little to no impact on ecosystems and bycatch does not appear to be significant.Purse seines usually to not have any direct contact with the seafloor, unless they are used in waters that are shallower than the height of the nets, this may occasionally occur in this fishery within Peru, but overall contact is considered minimal.Bycatch of Endangered, Threatened, or Protected (ETP) species is low, with no reports of marine mammal interactions. However, the capture of longnose anchovy alongside Peruvian anchovy is unregulated, and the stock status of the former is unknown. Up to 5% of landings may include bycatch species, but there is little analysis or public data on species composition. A list of prohibited species includes Peruvian Diving Petrel, Humboldt penguin, Guanay cormorant, Peruvian pelican, Peruvian booby, green sea turtle, South American sea lion and Southern fur seal, with national regulations banning the capture, processing, and marketing of small cetaceans and sea turtles.Several measures aim to reduce environmental impacts, including spatial closures to protect coastal habitats, electronic logbooks to improve bycatch data, ongoing bycatch studies, and two marine protected areas for seabirds and mammals, which are respected by the fishery. All industrial vessels are satellite-tracked.Improved reporting on bycatch and evidence of gear interactions with the seabed are needed, along with assessments of the effectiveness of existing environmental protections.

References

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