Peru. Fish resource landings exceeded pre-pandemic levels in 2021 | News | ANDEAN

The government official pointed out that in 2021, landings of marine resources totaled 6.582 million metric tons (MT), 14.7% more than in 2020 and 35.4% more than in 2019 (pre- pandemic).

“We see that the results of this sector have been positive in terms of anchovy fishing for the fishmeal industry, as well as in terms of resources extracted for the canning and freezing industry. We are therefore confident that the recovery will continue this year if oceanographic conditions normalize,” he said.

The Cabinet member claimed that in 2021, extractive activity for indirect human consumption amounted to 5.17 million MT, a growth of 19.7% compared to 2020 and 52.9% compared to 2019, the volume of which was 3.38 million MT.

This result is due to the opening of fishing in the southern area, since no fishing activity was recorded in this area in 2020.

Among the main ports, where landings of anchovies for indirect human consumption increased in 2021, were: Chimbote (21.4%), Pisco (150.4%), Callao (36.2%), Tambo de Mora (47.6%) and Chancay (38.1%). .

Direct human consumption

On the other hand, fishing for direct human consumption recorded a slight decrease (-0.6%) in 2021, whose landings amounted to 1.41 million MT. This was due to a reduction in the fishing of mackerel, horse mackerel and mullet, among others.

This behavior was mitigated by the increase in the extraction of resources for the frozen (1%) and canning (2.3%) industry, favored by normal oceanographic conditions during the first half of 2021.

Production value

In terms of production value, the fisheries sector recorded an increase of 2.8% compared to 2020 and 7.1% compared to 2019 (before the pandemic).

This result is explained by the increase in the value of anchovy production intended for indirect human consumption (19.7%), although mitigated by the decline in the value of fishery resources intended for direct human consumption. (-9.6%).