Artisanal fishers and government suffer from Illegal Fishing

Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in Peru has created many challenges for artisanal fishers and the government, while also threatening the country’s marine resources.

The artisanal fishermen called for joining efforts against illegal fishing in the maritime area. They complained that the five-mile protection zone along the coast reserved for artisanal fishing is often violated by industrial vessels.

Carmen Heck, the director of policies of the organization Oceana and a specialist in fishing and environmental law, said more than 30 tons of shark products, seized in Peru, were smuggled from Ecuador over the past few years. She called for the formalization of artisanal fishing activities.

Illegal fishing represents US$500 million in losses for Peru every year with experts warning that such a phenomenon is an activity that can form criminal organizations.