Research vessels Luis Flores Portugal and IMARPE IV are currently carrying out a survey of the state of the anchovy stock in Peru’s north-central region, gathering data that forms the basis of decisions on coming quotas for the world’s largest volume fishery.
‘The acoustic assessment survey will allow us to collect accurate and updated data, based on rigorous scientific evidence, which will help us better understand the dynamics of these species and make informed decisions to promote responsible fishing and the conservation of our marine resources,’ stated Minister of Production Ana María Choquehuanca as the research vessels sailed last week.
The survey ranges from 0.3 nautical miles from the shore fo 100 nautical miles offshore and in addition to the research vessels, commercial fishing vessels are involved to bolster the sampling programme.
At the end of the survey, research organisation IMARPE will produce a report on the state of Peru’s north-central anchovy stock, which will allow the Ministry of Production to make its quota decisions for the first season of 2024.
IMARPE also plans an autumn hake survey, an anchovy spawning biomass survey in August-September, acoustic surveys of anchovy and other pelagic stocks during the winter and spring, and a jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) survey in November-December.
