Peru anchovy catch collapses as El Nino warms seas

Peru's anchovy catch has collapsed as warmer seas linked to El Nino disrupt the fishing industry, with government data showing the May catch fell to 32,800 metric tons from 1.3 million metric tons in May last year.

Peru is the world's largest catcher of anchovy, a key ingredient in fishmeal used for animal feed and organic fertilizer.

The Institute of the Sea of Peru, known as IMARPE, said anchovy, which are accustomed to cold water, have moved into deeper waters. IMARPE recorded sea temperatures up to 6C above normal in some areas.

Jessica Luna, president of Peru's National Fisheries Society, called the disruption a “devastating blow” to the sector. She said the industry usually creates 250,000 jobs but that 122,000 will be lost by next year.

The National Fisheries Society said a study it commissioned found fishing and related industries will account for 1.1 percent of Peru's gross domestic product this year, down from 2.1 percent in 2025.

Union representatives said industrial fishing boats had not gone to sea since May, months before Peru's government officially ended the anchovy fishing season on August 19. A second fishing season normally starts in November, but Luna said that was uncertain because of El Nino projections.