(IntraFish) Peru's fish production will likely fall 5 percent in 2012 due in part to a limited anchovy quota.A ban on some anchovy captures will likely cause a 20 percent drop in anchovy production, although authorities have yet to determine the quota, reports Reuters.
Fish meal represents almost 70 percent of fish exports from Peru. The country produces 30 percent of the global fishmeal, whose main markets are Japan, China, Indonesia and Canada.
This year's catch of anchovy expected to fall to levels of between 5.5 million and 6 million metric tons from about 7 million metric tons in 2011.
"You cannot expect to have higher growth (this year) because it is necessary to strengthen the sustainable development of aquaculture activity," Minister of Production Jose Urquizo told Reuters.
The slight increase in sea temperature, mainly in the north, is prompting the need for more conservative harvest levels for 2012.
"Solar radiation can cause temperature changes and temperature changes have generated movements of air masses," IMARPE scientist Andrew Chipollini said. "These phenomena are not regular but are sometimes given."
The abundance of anchovies in the Peruvian sea has allowed the development of the South American country's fishing industry, based mainly on the production of fishmeal and fish oil, and generates an export revenue of $3 million (€2.3 million).