The Peruvian artisanal fishery: Changes in patterns and distribution over time

Since 1996, the Peruvian Marine Research Institute (IMARPE) has been collecting data on catches by vessel, species, weight (kg), gear type and fishing grounds for all major ports of the artisanal fishery. At present, this fishery has exclusive rights to undertake commercial fishing operations within 5 miles from the Peruvian coast. During this period there have been significant changes in the composition and spatial pattern of the artisanal fishery including a reduction in catch of sardine and mullet, and increases in catches of jumbo squid, scallops and dolphin fish. Of particular note was the effect of the El Niño of 1997–1998, with a major reduction in the catch of anchovy and silversides and increases in shellfish (mussels and scallops), reflecting a shift during this period from a pelagic to a benthic dominated system. While the fishery has undergone relatively large changes in species composition of catches there has been a relatively steady level of catch per trip for target species and a modest decrease in numbers of trips in the fishery. To some extent the observed changes reflect changes in environmental conditions, with a warmer period before 1999 and a cooler, higher upwelling period since then. The environmental changes were accompanied by the rapid increase of jumbo squid, a voracious predator on many commercial fish species since 1999. However, some changes reflect changes in economic conditions, for example higher oil prices and decreased selling price of many species resulting an increased focus on high value fisheries and exports including the use of set lines to produce a higher quality end-product and the holding of shellfish in pens in the sea to increase their size and bring a higher price. The Peruvian artisanal fishery features strong seasonal variation in some species, generally sustained catches over a long time period, but changes in species dominance in the catches, reflecting a long-term regime-shift-like pattern in this highly productive region as well as the generalist nature of the fishery.