Peru anchovy - industrial purse-seine FIP (Fishery Improvement Project)

FIP Description Among the coastal pelagic species of the Northern Humboldt Current System (NHCS), Peruvian anchovy (Engraulis ringens) is predominant, and it supports one of the most important single species fisheries worldwide. Peruvian anchovy landings by the industrial sector are used for indirect human consumption. The NHCS is an important sector of one of the most productive world marine ecosystems: the Humboldt Current Large Marine Ecosystem. The Humboldt Current extends along the coasts of Chile and Peru; the NHCS corresponds to Peru. In 1955, the first management measures for the Peruvian anchovy fishery were implemented, when a minimum catch size of 12 cm and a minimum mesh size were established. In the 1970s, new measures were drafted related to catch control by means of establishing annual global fishing quotas. There are three fishing fleets targeting the Northern-Central stock of Peruvian anchovy: there is an artisanal fishing fleet of vessels of less than 10 m3 GRT; a small-scale fishing fleet of vessels of more than 10 m3 GRT and less than 32.6 m3 GRT; and an industrial fishing fleet of vessels larger than 32.6 m3. Only industrial landings are to be used to produce fishmeal.