The Executive Branch presented a bill to the Congress of the Republic aiming to request the delegation of legislative powers for 120 days regarding fishing and aquaculture, raising concerns about potential changes to the protection of the first 5 nautical miles.
On August 28, the Executive proposed measures to strengthen artisanal infrastructure and create a private fund for the sector. However, the provisions included in the bill could alter the rules currently protecting the first 5 nautical miles, which has raised concerns among artisanal organizations.
Section E of Article 2 of the bill states that powers will be requested to modernize the regulatory framework for fishing and aquaculture activities, including the classification of the marine fishing fleet, a provision currently regulated by Law 31749. Mechanisms to address climatic phenomena and invigorate fishing at different scales are also discussed, emphasizing the geographical and oceanographic characteristics of southern Peru’s coastline.
Concerns have emerged in the artisanal sector, which fears that these powers could eliminate or modify Law 31749, which was unanimously approved in May 2023 and restricts industrial fishing in the first 5 nautical miles. This legislation also prohibits the use of mechanized purse seines in the first 3 nautical miles due to their negative effects on juvenile specimens and the ecosystem.
The reference to the southern zone has raised alarms among organizations in Tacna, Arequipa, and Moquegua, as it could reactivate so-called “penetration windows,” allowing exceptions for industrial fishing close to the coast. Critics warn that any relaxation of these restrictions during phenomena like El Niño could threaten key species for artisanal fishing, as the first 5 nautical miles are vital for the reproduction and feeding of commercial resources.
The regulation of Law 31749 has been delayed for over 20 months and has faced multiple prepublication processes. Despite this, representatives from the sector assert that the Ministry of Production (PRODUCE) has not fully implemented the measures. Therefore, they are calling on Congress to carefully evaluate the scope of the requested powers and to require information on the potential changes envisioned.
In Congress, the request for legislative powers has generated reactions. On September 2, Congresswoman Norma Yarrow from Renovación Popular expressed her concerns via social media, addressing the President of the Council of Ministers, Luis Galarreta, raising doubts about whether these powers will benefit or harm artisanal fishing and warning about the risk of undue benefits for the national and foreign industry.
Source: www.infobae.com
