On 10 June 2026, the government of Peru implemented a suspension of anchoveta fishing, initially described as temporary, before escalating to a full closure by mid-August. Anchoveta (Engraulis ringens), a species critical to Peru’s fishing industry, constitutes a significant portion of the global commercial fish catch and plays a vital role in the production of fishmeal and fish oil. These products serve as key components in aquaculture, livestock feed, and nutritional supplements worldwide.
Peru’s anchoveta fishery is concentrated off the north-central coast and accounts for about 20% of global fishmeal production in an average year. The industry directly employs nearly 50,000 people, with a broader economic footprint reaching close to 250,000 jobs. Despite its economic importance, the fishery has experienced volatility in catch volumes for decades due to combined pressures from overfishing and environmental factors, particularly the natural climate phenomenon known as El Niño.
The decision to suspend the fishery followed warnings from scientists at the Instituto del Mar del Perú, who flagged risks associated with the emerging 2026 El Niño event, anticipated to be among the strongest on record. El Niño disruptions elevate sea surface temperatures along the Peruvian coast, reducing plankton populations—anchoveta’s primary food source—and forcing the fish into deeper or more coastal waters. These conditions heighten the vulnerability of anchoveta stocks, which were already declining before the fishing halt.
Peruvian officials emphasized that the suspension was grounded in scientific advice aimed at ensuring long-term resource sustainability. César Quispe Luján, the minister of production at the time the closure was declared, stated the government’s responsibility to manage marine resources prudently and with a long-term perspective. His successor, Juan Carlos Requejo, reiterated that sustainability would take precedence over short-term industry gains amid mounting economic pressures.
The closure has had pronounced economic repercussions. According to the Peruvian central bank, the fishing sector faced a contraction forecasted at more than 30% in 2026, with an estimated 78,000 job losses this year and an additional 44,000 in 2027. Fishmeal prices have surged globally, nearly doubling compared with the previous year, affecting aquaculture and livestock industries that rely heavily on Peruvian exports. The potential cancellation of the second fishing season in 2026, as reported by local media but not yet officially confirmed, could deepen these impacts, possibly costing the economy around $1.4 billion.
The management of the anchoveta fishery has evolved considerably since a significant collapse in the 1970s prompted regulatory reforms. Peru now enforces stringent controls, including vessel quotas and extensive monitoring, with more than 160,000 inspections conducted in 2024 and substantial confiscations of illegally caught anchoveta. Despite these efforts and a degree of success in stabilizing catch fluctuations over recent decades, the overall trend remains downward, and industry observers caution that resilience has limits.
The sector also faces challenges from the increasing consolidation of the fishery under large corporations, including foreign ownership. For example, since late 2024, Canadian firm Cooke Incorporated has acquired significant stakes, controlling a sizable share of both fishing and processing operations. This concentration of power has sparked industry tensions, with some executives expressing frustration over regulatory decisions, while government officials maintain that conservation imperatives outweigh immediate economic interests.
The current crisis highlights the complexity of balancing ecological sustainability with economic viability in the context of accelerating climate change and fluctuating ocean conditions. As Peru contends with the strongest El Niño in over a century, the anchoveta fishery’s future remains uncertain, serving as a case study of the broader challenges confronting marine resource management globally.