The Ministry of Production (PRODUCE) in Peru promotes a set of measures to strengthen artisanal fishermen’s work, contribute to improve their quality of life and reduce the informality of the sector, which threatens fisheries resource sustainability.
In this regard, Minister of Production Pedro Olaechea stressed that since the entry into force of the Formalization of Artisanal Fishing System (SIFORPA), at the beginning of the year, more than 4,809 fishing vessel owners have been formalized through this virtual platform. The figure represents an advance of approximately 80 per cent with respect to the 6,000 that are expected to be formalized as of December 31, 2017.
“This tool not only reduces the formalization procedures, which previously took several months, to a maximum period of 10 days, but also strengthens the artisanal fisherman’s activity, since it makes it possible to negotiate the fishing catch at a better price”, he outlined.
In the case of the Compulsory Insurance of the Artisanal Fisherman (SOPA), which will benefit not less than 58,311 independent fishermen, the head of the sector indicated that PRODUCE published the draft regulation and is expected to enter into force before the end of the year.
“SOPA will act as personal accident insurance. It covers the risks of body injuries experienced by independent artisanal fishermen, inside a fishing vessel or outside it,” he said.
Likewise, Olaechea pointed out that the Executive recently published a decree with the purpose of solving the retirement issues faced by fishing workers.
On the other hand, the head of PRODUCE said that the Government is taking important steps to achieve sustainable management of Peruvian fisheries and eradicate illegal fishing, which represents a serious threat to the conservation and sustainability of fisheries resources.
“The ratification of the Agreement on Port State Measures aimed at Preventing, Discouraging and Eliminating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUU), which entered into force a few days ago, and the decision to publish the satellite information in the Global Fishing Watch confirm it,” he said.
But it is not the only initiative. Last September, Peru became the General Secretariat of the Network of Exchange of information and experiences among Latin American countries for IUU fishing. In addition, Peru has been chosen, for the first time, to host the Meeting of the Working Group on Fisheries Crimes, organized annually by Interpol.
“Both initiatives seek that Peru is positioned as a reference in Latin America in the fight against these illegal activities,” said the head of production.
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