[EN] Illegal vessels threaten the livelihoods of smaller scale fishers in northern Peru. But as the sector seeks formalization, these aren’t the only challenge they face. Artisanal fishing of Humboldt squid, or pota, is the second most important economic fishing activity in Peru. In 2020 alone, Peru exported more than 297,000 tonnes, worth US$610 million. For years, the country has accounted for about half of the world’s landings of squid, according to UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) data.
[ES] Embarcaciones ilegales amenazan el sustento de los pescadores artesanales del norte del país, mientras el sector enfrenta el reto de buscar la formalización. La pesca artesanal del calamar de Humboldt, o pota, es la segunda actividad económica pesquera más importante del Perú. Sólo en 2020, Perú exportó más de 297.000 toneladas por valor de 610 millones de dólares. Durante años, el país ha representado cerca de la mitad de los desembarcos mundiales de calamar, según datos de la FAO.
Local fishers unload squid, or pota, at the port of Paita in northern Peru. Peru
Paita, Piura. Many Paita fishers say they are yet to see the benefits of a process of formalisation that began almost five years ago. Peru
“Being an artisanal fisher is very hard work. There is no reward,” Segundo Meza says. Yet, despite his wishes, Meza’s eldest son, Alex, 21, is about to embark on his next fishing expedition. Peru
Peru
The fishermen only know the time of departure; the return is always uncertain. It can take between a week and a fortnight to complete the trip and return to the coast. Peru
Pedro Díaz and five other artisanal fishers have spent three days stocking the boat with food, ice for the hold, and the necessary tools to catch Humboldt squid (Dosidicus gigas), or pota, as they call it, in the Pacific waters. Peru
Local fishers unload squid, or pota, at the port of Paita in northern Peru. Peru
Paita, Piura. Many Paita fishers say they are yet to see the benefits of a process of formalisation that began almost five years ago. Peru
“Being an artisanal fisher is very hard work. There is no reward,” Segundo Meza says. Yet, despite his wishes, Meza’s eldest son, Alex, 21, is about to embark on his next fishing expedition. Peru
Peru
The fishermen only know the time of departure; the return is always uncertain. It can take between a week and a fortnight to complete the trip and return to the coast. Peru
Pedro Díaz and five other artisanal fishers have spent three days stocking the boat with food, ice for the hold, and the necessary tools to catch Humboldt squid (Dosidicus gigas), or pota, as they call it, in the Pacific waters. Peru
Leslie Moreno Custodio
Peruvian photographer, Peruvian reporter, storyteller, Peru, photojournalist