Bags of fishmeal. (Photo: NOAA)

Lower anchovy catch makes fishmeal price rocket

PERU
Wednesday, November 19, 2014, 23:50 (GMT + 9)

The scarcity of anchovy (Engraulis ringens) that is recorded in the Peruvian coast has contributed for fishmeal price to reach the highest level in the last ten years. And this situation affects salmon and shrimp producers, among others, because they must face increased costs of the feed for these farmed species.

Last week, a ton of prime quality fishmeal reached USD 2.37, 66 per cent higher in comparison to earlier this year, when its price was USD 1.43, according to data provided by Peru Broker SA.

Last October, scientists from Instituto del Mar del Peru (IMARPE) said the biomass in the southern fishing zone was insufficient to recommend a fishing quota. To assess the current status of the resource, they decided to conduct a survey to be completed on Thursday.

Audun Lem, Deputy Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture in the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned that "the higher prices of fish oil and fishmeal will be added to the costs being faced by aquaculture producers for some carnivorous species, such as salmon and shrimp," informed Bloomberg.

In addition, last week the company Oil World wrote on its website: "Fish oil and meal prices continued to strengthen in Peru as well as in China and other locations in the week through 14 November in response to deteriorated Peruvian production prospects, cutting export supplies."

In the report published by IMARPE on 4 October, it is explained that the adverse conditions in the northern fishing zone affected this pelagic species stock. Therefore, it is recommended that fishing activities continue suspended.

The Peruvian anchovy fishery is the largest one in the world, with a catch of around 5 million tonnes in 2013. According to the FAO, the south-east Pacific anchovy stock is caught up to sustainability limits, without the possibility of increases in production.

Given this situation, coupled with fishmeal rising prices, the aquaculture industry has been seeking cheaper substitutes for feed for a long time, so the percentage of the fishmeal used in aquaculture feeding has fallen in recent years.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, the Ministry of Production (PRODUCE) began work on a comprehensive contingency plan in case IMARPE experts confirm the negative impact of El Niño phenomenon and Kelvin waves on the anchovy fishery in the Peruvian coast.

According to the Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Juan Carlos Requejo, the first measurements have revealed negative results because the weather conditions generated an anchovy migration outside its usual location areas.

The Statistical Bulletin issued by PRODUCE indicated in the eighth month of 2014, a total of 20,300 tonnes of fishing resources was landed for the fishmeal industry, representing a 70.1 per cent decrease over the same month in 2013 (67,700 tonnes).

During the period from January to August a total of 2.2 million tonnes of fishing resources were used for indirect consumption compared to 2.6 million tonnes in 2013, that is to say, 13.5 per cent less.

Related articles:

- Sharp decline in landings for fishmeal industry in August
- ‘Contingency plan’ devised in case of anchovy shortage

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

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