Peru Seeks to Expand Access to Satellite Information Against Illegal Fishing

Although Peru has satellite technology to monitor part of its fishing activity, regional governments, responsible for monitoring artisanal vessels under their jurisdiction, still do not have real-time access to this information.

This gap makes it difficult to control activities prohibited for more than 25 years, such as trawl fishing within the first five miles and the use of mechanized purse seine nets within the first three miles.

Given this scenario, specialists, authorities, and representatives of fishermen proposed expanding access to these tools to strengthen surveillance and generate evidence for investigations and sanctions against illegal activities. The proposals were presented during the event "Strengthening Surveillance Against Illegal Fishing in Peru Through Satellite Images," organized by Law, Environment and Natural Resources (DAR), where the report "Monitoring Illegal Fishing through the Use of Satellite Images" was presented.

The report identifies that the main challenge is not the lack of technology, but access to it. While the Ministry of Production (Produce) uses the Satellite Tracking System (SISESAT) to monitor vessels under its jurisdiction, regional governments still do not have real-time satellite information to verify illegal practices.

"There is no administrative sanction against a vessel that has carried out trawl fishing within the first five nautical miles, despite the fact that this practice has been prohibited for more than 25 years," said Percy Grandez Barrón, executive director of Grandez & Cía. Consultores and author of the report presented during the event.

As he explained, this limitation prevents effective control, since in-person surveillance is insufficient to cover the extent of the Peruvian sea. Therefore, he proposes that regional governments incorporate platforms such as Global Fishing Watch or Skylight to strengthen surveillance and generate evidence for sanctioning processes.

The report also warns that illegal fishing generates losses of up to 23 billion dollars annually worldwide and affects the sustainability of fisheries, food security, and local economies.

According to Denisse Linares, DAR project leader, incorporating technological solutions must be accompanied by institutional strengthening. "Satellite information can contribute much more, but we also need to improve capacities, budget, and coordination between institutions so that it can truly be leveraged," she noted.

During the inauguration of the event, DAR president Vanessa Cueto highlighted that these monitoring systems can become a key support for the surveillance of the Peruvian sea, provided there is coordination between public entities, fishermen's organizations, and civil society, especially considering the risks posed by the El Niño phenomenon. Linares added that illegal fishing is also linked to other illicit actions, making it crucial to strengthen coordination between surveillance and control institutions.

In the Mar Tropical de Grau National Reserve, the incorporation of drones and monitoring platforms is already showing concrete results. Anthony Llapapasca, head of this protected area of the National Service of Natural Protected Areas by the State (Sernanp), pointed out that these platforms have made it possible to identify vessels with unauthorized operations and strengthen control within the reserve.

"We have managed to reduce the entry of vessels carrying out unauthorized activities within the protected area by more than 98%," he indicated. However, he specified that there are still gaps in personnel, budget, and operational capacity that limit the institutional response.

A similar situation faces the Public Ministry. The specialized environmental prosecutor of Sullana, Néstor Sosa, explained that many investigations into illegal fishing have difficulties in accurately demonstrating where the activity occurred, which weakens judicial processes. "With the use of satellite technology, we can identify exactly where vessels operate and have much more solid evidence," he maintained. He added that a future reform should promote that vessels incorporate geolocation systems.

From the General Directorate of Captaincies and Coastguards (Dicapi), Captain Guillermo Benítes highlighted that the country already uses technological platforms for maritime surveillance. However, he noted that it is necessary to strengthen joint work between competent entities and expand access to these technological resources.