Peru
Our work
Global Fishing Watch has been instrumental in supporting Peru’s leadership in fisheries transparency, marked by a milestone decision to share its vessel tracking data on our platform in 2018. As the first Latin American country to take this progressive step, Peru continues to demonstrate its commitment to responsible ocean governance, setting new benchmarks for the region.
Collaboration with Peru formally started when the Ministry of Production (PRODUCE) signed a memorandum of understanding with Global Fishing Watch, which opened the door for the public monitoring of almost 2,000 industrial and artisanal vessels targeting key species like anchovy, hake, cod, eel, tuna, squid and mahi-mahi.
We work closely with a diverse set of stakeholders to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, improve fisheries management and strengthen policies and their enforcement. By leveraging advanced data analysis and satellite technologies, we aim to enhance ocean governance, improve monitoring, control and surveillance of maritime activities, and support Peru in meeting its international commitments.
Highlights
Our efforts in Peru span various initiatives and involve several government agencies. A deeper collaboration was formalized in 2023 after a series of workshops were held with a diverse set of stakeholders including PRODUCE, the Peruvian Sea Institute (IMARPE), the National Port Authority and the National Superintendence of Customs and Tax Administration.
Vessel Tracking: Making vessels publicly visible
Peru's decision to share its vessel monitoring system (VMS) data with Global Fishing Watch marked a significant step toward better accountability across its fishing fleets. Since 2018, nearly 2,000 vessels—industrial and artisanal—have been publicly monitored on our map. The increasing mandate on VMS usage by the Peruvian government, especially within the artisanal fleet, has further enhanced visibility and control.
Operational support: Strengthening national surveillance
Global Fishing Watch provides analytical support to identify potential regulatory noncompliance throughout Peru’s waters and mitigate opportunities for IUU fishing. Our work contributes to Peru's investigative and sanctioning processes, with key tools—like Vessel Viewer—supporting the operational implementation of the Port State Measures Agreement. Since 2021, we have complemented Peru’s monitoring and control of the distant-water squid fleet with nighttime imagery to help cultivate compliance, particularly for vessels using Peruvian ports.
Capacity development: Ensuring technology adoption
Since 2018, Global Fishing Watch has been at the forefront of capacity building in Peru. We have trained officials from IMARPE and PRODUCE, equipping port authorities with the skills to search for vessels, interpret routes and identify fishing grounds. Over the next few years, we will focus our training activities on country-specific needs, particularly the strengthening of port controls.
Policy support: Reinforcing transparency and better management
Global Fishing Watch actively supports Peruvian authorities in adopting and implementing new regulations that emphasize transparency, traceability, closed seasons and sustainable management of fishing areas. In 2024, we provided recommendations on regulatory projects related to marine resource extraction, the designation of artisanal and small-scale fishing zones, and the introduction of measures to combat and deter IUU fishing.
Marine protection: Supporting effective conservation
In contribution to the establishment of the Dorsal de Nasca National Reserve—a 62,000 square kilometer protected area located 140 kilometers off Peru’s coast—Global Fishing Watch provided the environmental authorities with analysis reports and technical expertise.
About Peru
Peru plays a significant role in global fisheries, largely due to its stocks of anchovy – a fish known for its widespread use in fishmeal and for fish oil production. Today, anchovy represents 84.5 percent of catch in Peruvian waters, but there are also notable landings of jack mackerel, mackerel and jumbo flying squid.Â
Peru’s marine biodiversity is rich, with over a thousand species of fish, mollusks, crustaceans and algae. It also has the largest capture fisheries country in South America and, in 2022, contributed nearly six percent of the world’s capture production of aquatic animals. This makes it the only nation in Latin America and the Caribbean among the top ten global capture fisheries producers.
The country’s success in sustainable management, particularly of its anchovy population, has earned it recognition as the best-performing country in South America according to the 2024 Environmental Performance Index.
Peru’s commitment to fisheries transparency is evident through its mandatory satellite tracking system for all large-scale fishing vessels that carry government-issued fishing permits.Â
Despite its leadership, Peru still faces challenges related to the enforcement of IUU fishing regulations—particularly by foreign vessels—as well as internal disagreement over industrial fishing in marine protected areas, the formalization of artisanal fishing practices, VMS monitoring of artisanal vessels, and how to ensure the rights of small-scale fishers in exclusive fishing areas.
Peru is a member of the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation and the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission, where its leadership in fisheries transparency continues to set a global standard, reinforcing its role as a model for sustainable ocean governance.