In a recent report by the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP), South American reduction fisheries are shown to either decline or remain stagnant in their management performance. The report, part 1 of the 14th edition of SFP’s assessments, indicates that compared to 2022, two European fisheries have shown improvement, while two South American fisheries have seen a decline. The majority of assessed fisheries are reported to be reasonably well managed or better, but a slow decline in performance has been noted since 2018.
Dave Martin, the program director at SFP, highlighted the contrasting trends between European and South American fisheries. He emphasized the industry’s role in supporting improvements in key European reduction fisheries, while expressing concern about the negative trajectory observed in South America. Martin hopes that this information will spur collaboration among industry, science, government, and other stakeholders to reverse the declining trend in South American fisheries.
The three South American fisheries experiencing a drop in performance—Anchoveta in Southern Peru/Northern Chile, Anchoveta Chile Valparaíso (V) – Los Lagos (X), and Araucanian herring in Central-South Chile—are now categorized as poorly managed (Category C) after recent improvements in European fisheries.
South American countries, notably Chile and Peru, are recognized as global leaders in marine ingredient production, and countries like Chile and Ecuador also lead in farmed seafood production. However, the annual assessments by SFP consistently reveal middling performance in reduction fisheries in the region, particularly in FishSource management strategy scores.
The report underscores the importance of increased regional cooperation on shared fisheries and emphasizes the critical role that pre-competitive industry and multi-stakeholder collaboration play in improving fisheries management. The findings call for redoubled efforts from industry, governments, scientists, and other stakeholders to support and deliver sustainable fisheries in the South American region. Part 2 of the SFP assessments is expected to be published in March 2024.
Source: Sustainable Fisheries Partnership
