Peru's Ministry of Production has authorized a 2.41 million-metric-ton anchovy quota for the first season in north central waters.
The figure is a sharp jump from last year, when the quota was set at 2.1 million metric tons.
The season will begin on May 13.
This week the Ministry of Production published protocols aimed at gradually starting the anchovy fishing season in north central waters in the wake of the coronavirus health crisis.
Even though the number of vessels allowed to catch fish will be restricted, the development has been keenly awaited by the fishmeal industry, particularly after the second season of 2019 was cut well short after an abundance of juveniles were discovered.
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The Peruvian anchovy industry is still reeling from the closure of the second season in north central waters with only 36 percent of the 2.78 million metric tons quota harvested because of the abundance of juvenile fish.
The unexpectedly high numbers of juveniles sparked an ongoing official investigation into charges that high quotas had been fixed allegedly to favor the fishmeal industry and its suppliers, accusations producers reject.
