A Peruvian tuna purse seiner. (Photo: CIAT)

Peru allowed to catch more tuna by IATTC

PERU
Friday, July 15, 2011, 22:50 (GMT + 9)

The Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) granted Peru additional 5,000 cubic meters of quota capacity for tuna fishing in the waters of the country.

Boats benefited from this measure should be Peruvian flagged and operate within 200 nautical miles and inside the country’s exclusive economic zone.

So far, the country has had 3,195 cubic metres so now it will have a total of 8,195 cubic metres.

According to the head of the Ministry of Production (Produce), Luis Nava, the total cubic metres reached will allow 13 vessels to fish tuna, depending on their ability to hold.

"We currently have 3,195 cubic metres, but extra 5,000 were requested and granted because what we had was not enough considering the tuna existence in our waters, in which over 50,000 tonnes are caught," explained the minister.

Peru is part of the group of Member States which have had their haulage capacity regulated by IATTC since 2002. Nine years ago, the Peruvian fleet was granted a capacity of 3,195 cubic metres despite expecting to have a capacity of 14,046 cubic metres, Andina agency reported.

The request to increase the capacity was reiterated in 2008 and in 2009 without success.

Nava made it clear that IATTC did not approve a quota of 14,046 cubic metres because there is not much tuna available in the world and the list of applicants is very large.

He noted that Peru is the only country – out of 20 members of IATTC -- that requested an increase in fleet capacity and obtained an additional quota.

"Our right has been recognised and now Peru can develop a tuna fishing fleet and use the tuna caught for the population’s consumption and feeding," said Produce head.

One of the reasons considered to request the increase was the need to aim the tuna catch for the population’s food security.

By Analia Murias
[email protected]
www.seafood.media

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