Fishery Alert – March 2020

PRODUCE informs that the movement of the minimum necessary personnel for the activities of the fishing and aquaculture sector shall be allowed

The Ministry of Production makes public knowledge that, within the framework of the provisions of article 2 and article 8 of DS 044-2020-PCM and in order to guarantee the acquisition, production and supply of fishery and aquaculture products intended for direct human consumption, including storage, distribution and commercialization to the public; the movement of the minimum necessary personnel engaged in the following activities in the fishing and aquaculture sector shall be allowed:

1. Artisanal and industrial extractive activities of hydrobiological resources for direct human consumption at the national level.

For this purpose, fishermen and crew members, including divers and gatherers, must have the corresponding permits, and must carry a license or accreditation for the activities they carry out.

2. Aquaculture activities aimed at supplying direct human consumption at the national level.

For this purpose, the holder of the concession or authorization must communicate to PRODUCE or the corresponding GORE the list of the minimum authorized personnel that guarantees the continuity of said activities.

3. Activities related to the audit, control and monitoring of the fishing and aquaculture activities carried out by duly authorized supervisory companies, testing and inspection entities, at the national level.

4. Activities related to the transport of fisheries and aquaculture resources, products and supplies to fishing establishments and farming centers as well as their storage and commercialization, at the national level, duly authorized by the holders of said activities.

5. Activities for the operation of primary or industrial processing establishments for fishery and aquaculture products and supplies for direct human consumption, at the national level, whose workers are duly authorized by the holders of said activities.

This provision also applies to workers in fishing establishments that process waste and discards from the activities described in the preceding paragraph, for which they must have control by PRODUCE.

6. Activities for the operation of artisanal fishing infrastructure and docks authorized for landing, at the national level, whose workers are duly accredited by the administrators of said infrastructure.

7. Activities for the collection and commercialization of resources, products and fishery and aquaculture inputs in wineries, food markets, supermarkets, fishing terminals, among others, at the national level, duly authorized by the administrator of said establishments and in compliance with applicable safety, hygiene and health protocols.

On the other hand, the extractive activities are subject to duly authorized seasons, quotas, closures or fishing areas, since PRODUCE maintains the satellite monitoring system for the transit of fishing vessels (24 hours a day).  The urgent measures issued by the Executive Power, through which the health of the population has been prioritized, are in force for 15 days, a period in which entrepreneurs, fishermen and workers in the fishing and aquaculture sector must adapt to the exceptional measures in order that, with the minimum necessary personnel, they guarantee the continuity of the extraction, production and commercialization of said products, provided that they are not included within the population at risk (over 60 years of age or with pre-existing diseases).