The first anchoveta fishing season begins in Peru in 2022

The anchoveta fishing season in Peru officially began in January 2022. The species that Peruvian fish farmers will be able to harvest are Engraulis ringens and the white anchoveta, whose species is Anchoa nasus.

This extraction season will end when about 486,000 tons are obtained in terms of quantity, or on June 30 of this year. This quantity is stipulated based on forecasted human consumption.

Peruvian fishery producers must have authorization certificates and the records required by the fishing authorities. In addition, the vessels used must have satellite positioning radars.

Importance of anchoveta in aquaculture in Peru

Anchoveta extraction in 2021 for direct and indirect human consumption had an approximate amount of 5 million metric tons, which represented an increase of 19% over the previous year and 52.9% over 2019. Considering these figures, the fishing sector dedicated to anchoveta in Peru grew by about 2.8% in 2021 compared to 2020 and 7.1% compared to 2019.

One of the challenges during 2022 for Peru’s fishing sector is La Niña weather and climate phenomenon, which could reduce the extraction of this resource.

However, the growth of anchoveta production in Peru during 2022 started with favorable figures that are expected to be maintained. Between January and February, fishing of this fishery resource reached 81,700 metric tons, which meant an increase of 139% compared to 2021. The ports that have recorded the highest number of anchoveta landings were Attico, Matarani, Mollendo, Pacocha, and Ilo. The value of these products was USD 32.8 million in these two months thanks to the production and export of fishmeal and fish oils.

Anchoveta fishing in Peru generates about 3500 direct and indirect jobs, with the use of 94 authorized vessels working constantly.

Use of anchoveta in fishmeal

Anchoveta is used for the manufacture of fishmeal thanks to its high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids. This has made it an excellent choice as a raw material for the manufacture of feed for aquatic animals and aquaculture farms due to its nutritional quality. This currently allows 1 metric ton of anchoveta fishmeal to be converted into 4 metric tons of farmed fish. Thus, it continues to be one of the most important species for the manufacture of fishmeal.

To ensure that anchoveta aquaculture in Peru maintains notable production records, it is advisable to use preservatives for fishmeal made from this species. Alquerfish Fishmeal is a high-quality preservative that has a cimenol ring, a molecule patented by Biovet S.A. with a microbiocidal and preservative effect. In addition, this molecule is complemented with citric acid to increase its antimicrobial power, allowing the fishmeal to be preserved longer and in optimal conditions.

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Anchoveta production figures in 2021

The second anchoveta fishing season of 2021 started on November 22 and ended on January 15, 2022, which is mainly in the North-Central zone of Peru.

Peruvian fisheries authorities reported that the total production of fishery resources in this period exceeded pre-pandemic quantities with 6.5 million metric tons. This 2021 production was 14.7% higher compared to 2020 and 35.4% higher compared to 2019.

The main regions where the highest anchoveta extraction was achieved in Peru during 2021 were Chimbote, Pisco, Callao, Tambo de Mora, and Chancay. This increase in anchoveta production in Peru was favored by good weather and oceanographic conditions in the waters of the Latin American country. In addition, in 2021 the extraction of anchoveta in the southern zone of Peru was authorized, which allowed an increase in fishing productivity during the year.