Oceana Perú highlights approval of Law that sanctions illegal building of fishing vessels - Oceana Peru

Oceana Perú highlights approval of Law that sanctions illegal building of fishing vessels

febrero 5, 2024

Ubicación: Perú

Contacto:

Crédito: Andina

Oceana Perú, in alliance with artisanal fishing guilds, the industrial sector (through the Sociedad Nacional de Industrias), organizations for the import and export of fishery resources, media, and civil society organizations, welcomes the enactment of the Law that modify the Criminal Code, Legislative Decree 635, in order to criminalize the illegal construction or increase of hold capacity of fishing vessels.

The approval of this Law is an important step towards putting and end on the operation of illegal vessels, which causes millions of dollars in losses for the national fishing industry and constitutes unfair competition for Peruvian artisanal fishermen.

The illegal construction or modification of the hold capacity of fishing vessels is a practice that has been increasing in recent years, putting at risk the sustainability of fishery resources and the economy of artisanal fishermen and fishing companies.

Oceana Perú and its allies have worked together to promote this amendment of the Criminal Code. In this sense, meetings have been held with authorities from the Congress, the Executive Branch, artisanal and industrial fishing guilds, and representatives of civil society organizations, as well as public relations campaigns to inform the public about the importance of this initiative and influence decision-makers.

The approved Law establishes that the illegal construction or modification of hold capacity of fishing vessels will be punished with imprisonment for a term of not less than three nor more than five years, in addition to fines. Also, with this reform prosecutors finally have the power to order the scrapping of these vessels, which today invade the market with products extracted illegally, affecting the income of artisanal fishermen.

Oceana Perú is confident that the promulgation of this norm will contribute to reducing illegal fishing in Peru and guaranteeing the sustainability of fishery resources for future generations.