Increased Frequency of El Niño Requires Preparation to Seize Opportunities

The Minister of Production, Juan Carlos Requejo, stated that given the increased frequency of climatic phenomena, such as El Niño, it is necessary to be prepared to better take advantage of the opportunities that arise in these cases.

"We are seeing that the El Niño Phenomenon is becoming more frequent. The important thing is to get used to it, because Peru has great advantages due to its diverse climates and its richness, which is precisely what makes our country special," he declared in an interview with RPP.

Thus, he considered that the El Niño Phenomenon tends to become part of the new normal and that recognizing this will allow us to better take advantage of these scenarios.

"While it generates threats, because it harms sectors such as fishing and agro-industry, among others, it also brings us opportunities in other productive activities," he said.

As fishermen and biologists say, the only way to face this type of situation is by researching and monitoring capture activities, Requejo emphasized.

"Just as industrial anchovy fishing has had problems meeting its quota, other opportunistic species also appear for artisanal and industrial fishing," he commented.

In this regard, he highlighted the recent appointment of Renato Guevara as president of the Peruvian Sea Institute (Imarpe). He said that Guevara already knows the behavior of the El Niño Phenomenon and its impact from previous experiences.

"He is a renowned biologist from Imarpe. Our flagship scientific body, which must guide us to achieve efficient use of resources, has the best technical staff and is led by an in-house specialist who will help us face this situation in the best possible way," he commented.

He referred that warm waters favor the presence of species such as tuna, skipjack (small tuna), and bonito, among others. "Peruvians have to get used to consuming what the sea provides us," he commented.

Requejo recalled that we are coming from four successful seasons in which there was good fisheries management.

"This season will also have scientific and adaptive management that will allow, in the first fishing opportunity, for capture without affecting the sustainability of the anchovy," he noted.