Peru to Resume Jumbo Squid Fishing on August 25 with Initial Quota of 50,000 Tons

On August 14, 2025, Jesús Barrientos, Vice Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture of Peru, officially announced an important decision for the fishing industry during a meeting with representatives of artisanal fishermen from Arequipa, Moquegua, and Tacna regions. Thanks to the phased achievements of "Operation Jumbo Squid III", Peru will resume the fishing of jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) on August 25, with a tentative initial total catch quota of 50,000 tons.

I. Premises for Resuming Fishing and Follow-up Arrangements

• Peru's Marine Research Institute (IMARPE) stated that the last few fishing vessels currently operating in the southern waters will return to port in the next few days.

• After processing the relevant information, the final additional quotas for small-scale fishermen in the new phase will be determined to ensure responsible management of jumbo squid biomass and achieve sustainable utilization of resources.

II. Core of the Decision: Balancing Short-term Gains and Long-term Development

Barrientos emphasized that the resumption of fishing operations is based on a highly responsible attitude, and every decision has undergone careful consideration. The core goals are:

• Safeguarding the livelihoods of fishermen

• Avoiding impacts on the availability of jumbo squid resources in 2026

• Striking a balance between short-term gains and long-term development

III. Multilateral Statements: Focusing on Resource Protection and Community Well-being

• On regional fisheries and differentiated quotas: Barrientos clearly pointed out that it is not appropriate to respond to such issues until Peru confirms the existence of independent populations of the species.

• Supplementary remarks by the Minister of Production: Sergio González stated that the resumption of fishing is based on rigorous technical standards, placing resource sustainability and the well-being of fishing communities at the forefront. He also emphasized that the management of jumbo squid requires close collaboration between the state, scientific research institutions, and small-scale fishermen to ensure that the results of fishing truly benefit small-scale fishermen across the country.

IV. Preparations: Intensive Docking to Lay a Standardized Foundation

To balance fishery productivity and resource protection goals, Peru's Ministry of Production is conducting intensive technical docking with national fishing associations through decentralized meetings, coordinating directly with industry participants to lay a solid foundation for the smooth resumption and standardized implementation of jumbo squid fishing operations.