Peru is one of the world’s largest marine capture producers, with 97% of fish output coming from marine fisheries, mainly anchoveta (77% of landings), making it a key player in global production of fish meal and fish oil. Aquaculture currently represents only 2.6% of production in Peru. This chapter sets out key data and information on the structure and economic relevance of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, including in total production, foreign trade and employment, and situating this in relation to the OECD membership. Issues covered include the Peruvian fishing fleet, which numbered 18 000 vessels in 2022; key features of inland fisheries, which, while small, matter for local livelihoods; and persistent challenges for the sector, from high informality and an ageing labour force, to increasing climate‑related pressures on fish stocks.
Policies for the Future of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Peru
Abstract
In 2022, Peru produced 5.5 million tonnes (Mt) of fish, valued at USD 2 978 million, combining marine capture and aquaculture production. Peru represents 3% of total global fisheries and aquaculture production and is the largest producer in the Americas. Between 2012 and 2022, total fish production increased by 12% in volume but decreased by 18% in value.
In 2022, Peru was the fourth-largest producer of marine capture fisheries globally, representing 5.8% of all global marine capture production. This would have made Peru the largest marine capture producer by landings volume among OECD Member countries and the sixth-largest producer by value.
Peru’s fishing sector relies heavily on the Peruvian anchoveta, which accounted for 77% of the country’s total fish landings (by volume) and is the basis of its fishmeal and fish oil industry. This was followed by jumbo flying squid (also referred as Pota) with a share of 8.5% then Chilean jack mackerel with a share of 3.1%.
Total aquaculture production in Peru was 140 930 t in 2022, an increase of 95% since 2012 when it was 72 292 t. However, in value terms, aquaculture production was USD 453 million in 2022, decreasing 4% from USD 472 million in 2012. Four species accounted for 97% Peruvian aquaculture production by volume in 2022: rainbow trout, which accounts for 44% of total production; whiteleg shrimp, which accounts for 32%; scallops (also known as fan shell), accounting for 19%; and tilapia, accounting for around 2%. Aquaculture activity in 2022 was concentrated in the regions of Puno (inland), Tumbes (marine) and Piura (marine), which together accounted for 75% of production.
In 2022, total employment in the fisheries and aquaculture sector was of 128 011 people. Fishing activities, both marine capture and inland fishing, account for the largest share of employment with 78 775 fishers (61.5%), followed by processing (29.6%) with 37 970 jobs and aquaculture (8.8%) with 11 266. The sector, like the overall economy, has high levels of informality.
In 2022, Peru’s marine fishing fleet comprised a total of 18 163 vessels. The majority (14 142 vessels, representing 78% of the fleet) were of less than 12 metres in length over all (LOA). The total fleet has grown significantly over the last decade with an increase of 152% between 2012 when 7 192 vessels were registered and 2022 when 18 163 vessels were registered. Vessels of less than 12 m LOA was the category with the largest increase (175%) followed by vessels under the category of 12‑24 m (124%). Much of this increase has been driven by the formalisation of informal vessels rather than the addition of new vessels to the fleet.
In the analysis of Peruvian fisheries and aquaculture throughout this report, the data are compared to the OECD membership. This is intended provide a readily understandable context in relation to the relative size and performance of the Peruvian sector. It was intended to pre-judge in any way the results of the accession discussion at the Committee for Fisheries. Comparisons are made based on the most recent comparable data, which are from 2020‑2022 depending on the dataset.
1.1.1. Introduction
The fisheries and aquaculture sector, including captures, farming and processing activities, represented 0.8% of Peru’s total gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022 (PRODUCE, 2023[1]). Depending on the oceanic conditions, which directly influence anchoveta production and that of other commercial species like jumbo flying squid, the contribution of the fisheries sector to the economy can vary between 0.7% and 1% of total GDP. Total consumption of fish products in Peru was 26.2 kilogrammes (kg) per capita in 2022, higher than the global average of 20.7 kg and higher than the OECD average consumption of 25.1 kg (FAO, 2024[2]; 2024[3]).
In 2022, Peru produced 5.5 Mt of fish, valued at USD 2 978 million, combining marine capture and aquaculture production. Peru represents 3% of global fisheries and aquaculture production and is the largest fish producer in the Americas (FAO, 2024[3]). Between 2012 and 2022, total fish production increased by 12% in volume but decreased by 18% in value.
Fish production in Peru is largely made up of marine landings from capture fisheries along the Pacific coast, which represent 97.4% in volume and 84.8% in value. Aquaculture is an expanding sector, representing 2.5% of volume and 15% in value and mostly takes place in inland areas (Figure 1.1).
Production in value (USD million) and in volume (thousand tonnes)
Sources: FAO (2023[4]), “Global capture production 1950‑2020”, FishStatJ, https://www.fao.org/fishery/en/statistics/software/fishstatj; OECD (2024[5]), “Marine landings”, OECD Data Explorer, http://stats.oecd.org/wbos/default.aspx?datasetcode=FISH_LAND; OECD (2024[6]), “Aquaculture production”, OECD Data Explorer, http://stats.oecd.org/wbos/default.aspx?datasetcode=FISH_AQUA.
Peru’s fishing sector relies heavily on the Peruvian anchoveta, which accounted for 77% of the country’s total fish landings (by volume) and is the basis of its fishmeal and fish oil industry. This was followed by jumbo flying squid with a share of 8.5% then Chilean jack mackerel with a share of 3.1% (Table 1.1).
Marine capture production in Peru is highly sensitive to the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO)1, which directly affects anchoveta biomass and distribution. During El Niño events, the anomalous warming of the sea alters nutrient availability in the Humboldt Current, causing the resource to migrate, decline or disperse. This leads to significant reductions in the fishery productivity, with associated fishery closures, large reductions in total catches and socio-economic impacts (Coayla et al., 2023[7]; Hilborn and Hilborn, 2019[8]).
Note: Main 15 species of marine landings in Peru.
Sources: FAO (2023[4]), “Global capture production 1950‑2020”, FishStatJ, https://www.fao.org/fishery/en/statistics/software/fishstatj; OECD (2024[5]), “Marine landings”, OECD Data Explorer, http://stats.oecd.org/wbos/default.aspx?datasetcode=FISH_LAND.
For example, severe weather conditions since 2022 such as cyclones, heavy rainfalls and El Niño phenomenon have caused important economic losses, particularly affecting production in the fisheries and agriculture sectors, which negatively affected production and output while adding to inflationary pressures and a weak economic outlook, which resulted in protests and demonstrations (OECD, 2023[9]).
1.1.2. Peru was one of the world’s largest marine capture producers in 2022 and would have been the largest among OECD Member countries
In 2022, Peru was the fourth-largest producer of marine capture fisheries in the world, representing 5.8% of all global marine capture production. This would have made Peru the largest marine capture producer by landings volume and the sixth-largest producer by value among OECD Member countries (Figure 1.2 and Figure 1.3).
Note: For layout purposes, the graph only includes the top 20 OECD Member countries.
Source: OECD (2024[5]), “Marine landings”, OECD Data Explorer, http://stats.oecd.org/wbos/default.aspx?datasetcode=FISH_LAND.
Note: For layout purposes, the graph only includes the top 20 OECD Member countries.
Source: OECD (2024[5]), “Marine landings”, OECD Data Explorer, http://stats.oecd.org/wbos/default.aspx?datasetcode=FISH_LAND.
Fishmeal and fish oil are commercial products made from wild-caught whole fish, fish trimmings and other fish by-products. Fishmeal is a protein-rich flour produced by milling and drying fish or fish parts, while fish oil is obtained by pressing cooked fish and centrifuging the extracted liquid. Fish oil and fishmeal are usually produced from small pelagic and oily fish, most notably the Peruvian anchoveta, which accounts for the largest share of global production. Because of their high omega-3 fatty acid concentration, fishmeal and fish oil are among the most nutritious ingredients used in farmed fish and animal feeds, while fish oil is the primary source of omega-3 supplements consumed by people. In 2021, over 87% of fishmeal produced was used in aquaculture, 7% in pig farming, 4% in pet food and other uses, and 1% for poultry (according to the Marine Ingredients Organisation estimates). In the same year, 74% of fish oil was used in aquaculture, 16% for human consumption, and 10% for other uses including pet food and biofuel (FAO, 2024[3]).
The anchoveta fishery is one of the world’s largest single-species fisheries, with average annual landings of 4.4 Mt. Due to the large size of the anchoveta stock and increasing demand for anchoveta-derived fishmeal and fish oil, the fishery plays a central role in Peru’s fishing sector and broader economy. Peru is the world’s top fishmeal producer and exporter, and one of the leading producers and exporters of fish oil. In 2022, it produced 81 752 t of fish oil and 976 405 t of fishmeal (PRODUCE, 2024[10]). Both products accounted for 46.1% of the total volume of Peru’s fish and aquaculture product exports in 2023 (PROMPERU, 2023[11]). The People’s Republic of China (hereafter “China”) was the main destination, receiving 66.4% of exports by value, driven by demand from its large aquaculture and pig farming industries.
According to the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2024‑2033 (OECD/FAO, 2024[12]), Peru is expected to remain the leading fishmeal producer and a top producer of fish oil through the end of the forecast period in 2033. With global trade in fishmeal and fish oil projected to grow by 4% and 11%, respectively, Peru is also expected to continue leading global exports of these products.
Fishmeal and fish oil production in Peru fluctuates with changes to anchoveta stocks, whose biomass is affected by the El Niño Southern Oscillation. In 2023‑2024, El Niño conditions led to a 50% reduction in anchoveta landings compared with 2022, prompting the early closure of the fishing season. The reduction in landings caused an exceptional 112% increase in the global real price of fish oil over the same period (OECD/FAO, 2024[12]), highlighting Peru’s position as a key player in the global supply of fishmeal and fish oil, and the significant influence it has on international market prices.
Sources: PRODUCE (2024[10]), Anuario estadistico pesquero y Acuicola 2023, https://www.producempresarial.pe/anuario-estadistico-pesquero-y-acuicola-2023; OECD/FAO (2024[12]), OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2024‑2033, https://doi.org/10.1787/4c5d2cfb-en; FAO (2024[3]), The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024, https://doi.org/10.4060/cd0683en; PROMPERU (2023[11]), Desenvolvimiento del comercio exterior: Pesquero y acuicola, 2023, https://recursos.exportemos.pe/desenvolvimiento-del-comercio-exterior-pesquero-y-acuicola-2023.pdf.
1.1.3. Aquaculture production volume is growing rapidly
Total aquaculture production in Peru was 140 930 t in 2022, an increase of 95% since 2012 when it was 72 292 t. However, in value terms, aquaculture production was USD 453 million in 2022, decreasing 4% from USD 472 million in 2012 (Figure 1.4). On average, aquaculture production in OECD Member countries grew more slowly, with a 30% increase over the same period, but it also grew significantly – even more so, in value (with a 47% increase).
Source: OECD (2024[6]), “Aquaculture production”, OECD Data Explorer, http://stats.oecd.org/wbos/default.aspx?datasetcode=FISH_AQUA.
Peru would have been the 14th largest aquaculture producer among OECD Member countries by volume and the 16th by value in 2022 (Figure 1.5). It was the 8th -largest aquaculture producer by volume in Latin America and the Caribbean, accounting for 3.3% of total production that same year (FAO, 2022[13]).
Note: For layout purposes, the graph only includes the top 20 OECD Member countries.
Source: OECD (2024[6]), “Aquaculture production”, OECD Data Explorer, http://stats.oecd.org/wbos/default.aspx?datasetcode=FISH_AQUA.
In 2022, Peru’s aquaculture production in volume and value was concentrated in diadromous fish species cultivated in inland areas (lakes and lagoons). Four species account for 97% Peruvian aquaculture production by volume: rainbow trout, which accounts for 44% of total production; whiteleg shrimp, which accounts for 32%; scallops (also known as fan shell), accounting for 19%; and tilapia, accounting for around 2%. Aquaculture activity in 2022 was concentrated in the regions of Puno (inland), Tumbes (marine) and Piura (marine), which together accounted for 75% of production (Figure 1.6).
Over the ten years between 2012 and 2022, production of diadromous species, mainly trout, and crustaceans, has grown significantly, while mollusc production has remained almost unchanged and even declined in 2022, due to adverse oceanic conditions; the production of aquatic plants has ceased altogether.
Source: OECD (2024[6]), “Aquaculture production”, OECD Data Explorer, http://stats.oecd.org/wbos/default.aspx?datasetcode=FISH_AQUA.
A total of 13 048 aquaculture rights were granted in Peru in 2022, ranging from small-scale to large aquaculture producers (Table 1.2). Generally, inland aquaculture involves a higher number of small producers, with 10 191 producers covering an area of 6 278 ha, while marine aquaculture involves fewer (503) but larger (24 434 ha) producers.
Note: The National Aquaculture Cadastre contains the information of all aquaculture producers nationwide holding valid rights to carry out aquaculture activities. It also provides details on the authorised geographic areas where fish farming activities can be carried out.
Sources: Government of Peru (2024[14]), Review of Peru’s fisheries and aquaculture: Policy information request for the background report informing the formal opinion of the OECD Fisheries Committee (COFI) on the accession of Peru to the Organisation; http://catastroacuicola.produce.gob.pe/web.
This is likely explained by the larger initial investments in infrastructure and technologies required to start aquaculture production in marine areas compared to inland. Consequently, the vast majority (98%) of marine aquaculture producers were small, medium and large enterprises, while in inland areas microenterprises and individuals dominate (75%) (PRODUCE, 2023[15]).
Peruvian aquaculture production predominantly targets export markets. Aquaculture exports grew by an annual average of 7.6% in value and 9.6% in volume over the period 2018‑2022. This growth was driven by the increasing value of exports of trout (+14%), scallops (+13%) and shrimp (+4.9%), whose combined export value increased from USD 295 million in 2018 to USD 426 million in 2022. Whiteleg shrimp was the main aquaculture product exported in 2022, accounting for 64% of the total value. This was followed by scallops (24%) and trout (12%) (Government of Peru, 2024[14]).
1.1.4. Fisheries is an important source of export revenue for Peru
Peru is a net exporter of fish products. Total exports in 2022 reached USD 3 947 million for a volume of 1.7 Mt. Exports of fish products have grown steadily in value, increasing by 18.6% between 2012 and 2022. Notably, exports declined in 2020 due to the economic and trade impacts of the COVID‑19 pandemic combined with the ENSO-driven reductions in marine capture production (Figure 1.7).
Source: OECD (2024[16]), “International trade of fisheries commodities”, OECD Data Explorer, http://stats.oecd.org/wbos/default.aspx?datasetcode=FISH_TRADE.
Fisheries and aquaculture play an important role in the country’s trade balance and as a source of revenue, representing 6% of total exports of goods and services in 2022 (OECD, 2023[9]). Since 2012, the share of the fishing sector in total Peruvian exports has fluctuated between 5.8% and 7.5%, making it the third most important sector in terms of foreign currency earnings, behind the mining and oil and derivatives sectors (PRODUCE, 2023[1]).
Most of the export revenue comes from sales of fishmeal (44% of total exports by value), jumbo flying squid (15% of exports by value) and fish oil (5.4% of exports by value). Mahi-mahi (locally known as perico), and flying fish (ovas de pez volador) are also important export species. In terms of products, frozen fish products represented over two‑thirds of export that were not fishmeal or fish oil, followed by canned products, which account for a growing share of total exports. Exports of ornamental fish are important for inland fisheries, and, for 2022, were valued at USD 2.2 million. Hong Kong (China), the United States, Germany and Chinse Taipei were the main destinations for ornamental fishes.
Overall, China was the destination for 47% of total exports of fish products by value (USD 1 852 million) in 2022, mainly driven by the sales of fishmeal. The United States came in second with 8.2% of total exports, valued at USD 325 million in 2022, followed by Spain (6.1%), Korea (5.7%) and Japan (5.5%). The demand from these countries was mainly products for direct human consumption (FAO, 2022[13]). Ecuador was also an important trade partner, being the second-largest importer of Peruvian fishmeal, which is predominantly used as an input into shrimp aquaculture.
Given the importance of exports to the fisheries sector and the economy overall, Peru has well-organised quality infrastructure to ensure compliance with phytosanitary and zoosanitary requirements in different export markets. The National Fisheries Health Service, attached to PRODUCE, regulates and oversees health and safety services with respect of fisheries, aquaculture and associated products at the national level.
In 2022, imports of fish products totalled 149 000 t by volume and USD 295 million by value, a 99% increase in value since 2012, when imports amounted to USD 147 million (Figure 1.7). Over the last decade, imports averaged USD 263 million/year.
Frozen fish and fish products were the main products imported in 2022, accounting for 60.3% of all imports by value (USD 177 million). The second-largest imported product by value was canned fish, totalling USD 61 million (PRODUCE, 2023[1]). Tuna, shrimps, tilapia, and jack and horse mackerel were the most imported species. Overall, imports originated mainly from Argentina (24%), Ecuador (17%), and Chile and Thailand (both 11%) (FAO, 2022[13]).
1.2.1. Growing number of fishers and an ageing workforce
In 2022, total employment in the fisheries and aquaculture sector was 128 011 people. Fishing activities, both marine capture and inland fishing, have the largest share of employment with 78 775 fishers (61.5%), followed by processing (29.6%) with 37 970 jobs and aquaculture (8.8%) with 11 266 people employed (Figure 1.8). Accordingly, Peru would have been the sixth-largest OECD country in terms of total number of workers across the sector in 2022 (Figure 1.9).
There was a 5% increase in total employment in 2022 compared to 2012. Looking more closely, employment in aquaculture has grown significantly (+52%) over the decade, while fish processing (+4%) and fishing (+1%) have remained relatively stable as a source of employment over the same period.
The fisheries sector is an important employer. Fishing and aquaculture activities represent 1% of total employment in the economy (OECD, 2023[9]), a higher share than the average for OECD Members of 0.2% (OECD, 2025[17]). Employment in the fishing and processing sectors is mostly dominated by men (95% of total workers and the total number of people employed is closely linked to the effects of oceanographic conditions on total capture. Years when the ENSO impacted the productivity of anchoveta stocks have seen a noticeable reduction in total employment in the sector.
Source: OECD (2024[18]), “Employment in fisheries, aquaculture and processing”, OECD Data Explorer, https://data-explorer.oecd.org/s/2t7.
The COVID-19 pandemic also had a significant impact on employment in the sector, with 2020 registering the lowest level of employment (including fishing, aquaculture and processing) since 1998. This was mainly due to the preventive closure of landing points and a demand shock caused by the closure of restaurants, a reduction of tourism and reduced demand from external markets (exports declined 20% between 2019 and 2020).
Note: For layout purposes, the graph only includes the top 20 OECD Member countries.
Source: OECD (2024[18]), “Employment in fisheries, aquaculture and processing”, OECD Data Explorer, https://data-explorer.oecd.org/s/2t7.
According to a survey on marine artisanal fisheries carried out jointly by PRODUCE and IMARPE, over 95% of total employment in fishing activities in 2022 was in the artisanal sector. The total number of artisanal fishers has almost tripled since 1995 (first records available), from 28 000 to 75 500 in 2022. Most of the increase has occurred since 2004 when the survey identified 37 700 fishers (IMARPE, 2024[19]). However, a large share of this increase is most likely related to better identification and registration of fishers (see below), rather than new fishers entering the workforce.
At the same time, fishers are getting older, with the average age increasing from 35 in 1995 to 46 in 2022. The proportion of fishers over 60 years old has increased from 8.4% to 19.4% (1995‑2022) (Table 1.3).
Source: IMARPE (2024[19]), Informe ejecutivo “Cuarta encuesta estructural de la pesqueria artesanal en el litoral peruano, ENEPA IV 2022-2023”, https://cdn.www.gob.pe/uploads/document/file/6908889/5966295-cuarta-encuesta-estructural-de-la-pesqueria-artesanal-en-el-litoral-peruano-enepa-iv-2022-2023.pdf.
There is persistent informality in the fishing labour force (as in many other primary sectors in Peru). PRODUCE has, therefore, carried out a number of formalisation processes to ensure that fishers meet the requirements to operate legally (by granting them fishing rights), provided training on good fisheries practices, facilitated access to social security services, and integrated fishers into market value chains and the financial sector (Box 1.2). These formalisation processes explain, to some extent, the increase in the number of artisanal fishers seen since 1994, as this corresponds to registered fishers.
Female workers have a lower participation rate than men in total employment and are more likely to hold informal jobs, with a 7-percentage point higher informality rate than men. Many women have remained outside the labour market after the large impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many female workers left the labour market due to long school closures and to take care of the elderly (OECD, 2023[9]; OECD, 2025[20]).
Informality in Peru is widespread across all economic sectors. However, fishing with 90% of informality and agriculture with over 95% of informality, are the sectors with the highest prevalence of informal employment (informality is estimated at 77% economy wide in 2021) (OECD, 2023[9]). Informal employment in the fisheries sector can be found across all activities along the value chain, including marine capture, farming, processing and marketing, and therefore needs to be addressed across the fisheries and aquaculture sector as a whole.
Both informal employment and informal fishing (understood as fishers and crew not having the legally required fishing licenses) are widespread in the marine fishing sector, and only 65% of artisanal fishers had an official license (carné de pesca) (IMARPE, 2024[19]; Paredes et al., 2024[21]). As an economic activity, artisanal fishing is often an alternative source of employment and income for economically active coastal populations, particularly for groups of unskilled labourers who are unemployed or who migrate from other sectors or employment options, either permanently or seasonally (IMARPE, 2024[19]). The high degree of informality can translate into the overexploitation of resources, weak labour rights, increased accidents, and a lack of social security benefits like life insurances or retirement funds.
Addressing informal employment is a challenge across all sectors of Peru’s economy, therefore efforts by PRODUCE to address the issue should be embedded in a wider whole-of-government approach as they go beyond fisheries and aquaculture policy. So while there are sector-specific challenges (such as informal fishing) which require bespoke solutions, a co-ordinated approach across different ministries and government agencies is needed to address the more general issues that persist across all sectors.
In 2022, Peru’s marine fishing fleet comprised a total of 18 163 vessels. The majority (14 142 vessels, representing 78% of the fleet) were of less than 12 metres (m) LOA, while 18% (3 327 vessels) were in the 12‑24 m category, 3% were in the 24‑45 m (588 vessels) and only 0.6% (106 vessels) were more than 45 m.
The total capacity of Peru’s marine fishing fleet in 2022 was 498 559 GT, which was evenly spread across the length categories: vessels >12 m LAO had 87 480 GT, those 12‑14 m LOA had 132 466 GT, those 24‑45 m had 160 587 GT and those over 45 m had 118 027 GT.
Peruvian legislation divides fishing vessels into three different categories: industrial vessels, small-scale vessels using mechanised gear, and small-scale “artisanal” or “ancestral” vessels using predominantly manual labour. This classification is based on both the hold size of the vessel and the type of fishing (e.g. manual vs mechanised).2 Vessel characteristics vary significantly across different fleet segments. Industrial naval steel vessels, with high quality and safety standards, mainly operate in the anchoveta and the hake fisheries. Of registered artisanal vessels, 95% are made of a wooden hull, 3% of fiberglass and 0.4% of naval steel (PRODUCE, 2025[22]).
Regarding the type of fishing gear declared in the fishing permits per vessel, the most frequent type of fishing gear in the artisanal fleet permits was nets (34%), followed by longlines (20%) and hooks and handlines (18%) (Table 1.4). Different gears are employed depending on the fishery-specific regulation or spatial area restrictions; similarly, small-scale vessels in Peru can change fishing gears seasonally or use more than one fishing gear at a time.
Sources: PRODUCE (2025[22]), Embarcaciones pesqueras registradas, https://consultasenlinea.produce.gob.pe/ConsultasEnLinea/consultas.web/embarcacion; IMARPE (2024[19]), Informe ejecutivo “Cuarta encuesta estructural de la pesqueria artesanal en el litoral peruano, ENEPA IV 2022-2023”, https://cdn.www.gob.pe/uploads/document/file/6908889/5966295-cuarta-encuesta-estructural-de-la-pesqueria-artesanal-en-el-litoral-peruano-enepa-iv-2022-2023.pdf.
Within the context of OECD membership, the Peruvian fleet would have been the fifth largest in terms of the number of vessels in 2022 and the third biggest in terms of GT (Figure 1.10 and Figure 1.11).
Notes: Information not available for Austria or Iceland. For layout purposes, the graph only includes the top 20 OECD Member countries.
Source: OECD (2024[23]), “Fishing fleet”, OECD Data Explorer, https://data-explorer.oecd.org/s/2t8.
Notes: Information not available for Iceland. For layout purposes, the graph only includes only the top 20 OECD Member countries.
Source: OECD (2024[23]), “Fishing fleet”, OECD Data Explorer, https://data-explorer.oecd.org/s/2t8.
The fleet has significantly grown in size over the last decade, with a 152% increase in the number of vessels between 2012 when 7 192 vessels were registered and 2022 when there were 18 163 vessels. Vessels of less than 12 m LOA was the category with the largest increase (175%) followed by vessels in the 12‑24 m category (124%) (Figure 1.12).3 Moreover, these increases are even more pronounced when comparing data from the year 2000, when the total number of vessels was 2 194.
Source: OECD (2024[23]), “Fishing fleet”, OECD Data Explorer, https://data-explorer.oecd.org/s/2t8.
The total capacity of the fleet has also substantially increased over the last decade, growing 44% between 2012 (345 271 GT) and 2022 (498 559 GT). Growth in gross tonnage followed the same trend as the number of vessels, the category of >12 m LAO registering the largest increase between 2012 and 2022 (+131%), followed by the 12‑24 m category with a 111% increase. The largest vessels had more modest increases, at 18% for the 24‑45 m category and 9% for vessels over 45 m between 2012 and 2022 (Figure 1.13).
Source: OECD (2024[23]), “Fishing fleet”, OECD Data Explorer, https://data-explorer.oecd.org/s/2t8.
Using the Peruvian fleet classification (rather than length classes), the artisanal fleet greatly increased in number (an average increase of 110%) and GT (an average increase of 90%) between 2012 and 2022. Equally, vessel motorisation has increased substantially, representing 89% of the artisanal fleet in 2022, explained by new engine-powered vessels entering the fleet and existing boats being adapted with engines (De la Puente et al., 2020[24]; IMARPE, 2024[19]).
The marked increase in the total number of vessels and in the total GT of the fleet between 2012 and 2022 is partly explained by formalisation processes carried out by the Peruvian government, making vessels and fishers previously operating informally visible in the statistics. Formalisation efforts aim to ensure that all vessels are included in PRODUCE’s National Registry of Fishing Vessels and obtain details on the general characteristics of the vessel, including gear and capacity.4 Because of this process, it is difficult to estimate how many new vessels have actually been added to the fleet in the last decade.
In 2022, total production from inland fisheries in Peru was 28 476 t, valued at USD 48 million. Between 2012 and 2022, inland fisheries production volume declined by 15%, with an average annual output of 25 000 t (Figure 1.14). Historical data further highlight this downward trend, as inland fisheries produced an average of 39 000 t per year between 2002 and 2012 and registered a peak of production in 1995 with over 50 000 tonnes.
Source: OECD (2024[25]), “Inland fisheries”, OECD Data Explorer, https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=FISH_INLAND. Data are sourced from the FAO.
Peru would have been the third-largest producer of inland fisheries among OECD Member countries in 2022 in volume (Figure 1.15).
Notes: Information not available for Portugal. For layout purposes, the graph only includes the top 20 OECD Member countries.
Source: OECD (2024[25]), “Inland fisheries”, OECD Data Explorer, https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=FISH_INLAND. Data are sourced from the FAO.
Freshwater fishing in Peru takes place in rivers, lakes and lagoons, mainly in the Amazon basin, the Lake Titicaca basin, and in rivers and lagoons of the Pacific Ocean slope. It is geographically dispersed, with 325 identified landing points across the country. It is also biologically diverse, with an estimated of 1 300 identified species (Ortega et al., 2012[26]). An important proportion of inland fishing activity is seasonal (in the Amazon region it takes place over six to eight months a year) with fishing taking place largely during the dry season (Government of Peru, 2024[14]; FAO, 2023[27]).
The main inland fish capture species by volume are boquichico (Prochilodus nigricans), with a share of 9% of total landings in 2022; palometa (Metynnis hypsauchen), representing 4% of landings; paco (Piaractus brachypomus), with a share of 3.7%; paiche (Arapaima gigas), with a share of 1.3%; gamitana (Colossoma macropomum) and maparete (Epapterus dispilurus), both with a share of 1% (OECD, 2024[28]).
Inland fishing activities can be either for commercial or for subsistence purposes. Commercial inland fishing activities require a fishing permit and compliance with reporting requirements. There are no reporting requirements for subsistence fishing, which is defined as the harvesting of fisheries resources for domestic consumption.
There are important information gaps on total captures (both for self-consumption and commercial purposes), fishing effort and number of vessels. Similarly, there is very limited information related to the biological status of inland fisheries. In general, the lack of long-term studies and data mean it is not possible to effectively assess the links between fish populations, environmental variability and fishing effort in many inland fisheries, an issue that has been highlighted by relevant scientific organisations, including the IMARPE and the FAO.
A significant portion (75%) of inland fishing production is intended for consumption within local communities rather than for commercial purposes (FAO, 2023[27]) and represents one of the most important sources of protein in these communities. Most fish (over 92%) are consumed or sold fresh, while only a small fraction is cured. Other forms of processing, such as canning, remain minimal due to limited access to processing and storage technologies, as well as marketing restrictions that result in uncompetitive prices. However, government institutions have made efforts recently to promote processing activities and expand the commercialisation of inland fish production. Fishing of ornamental species is also a common practice in inland waters, mainly for export purposes, and notably takes place in the Amazon basin, where it represents a notable source of employment and income.
Inland fishing is also an important source of employment and revenue, in particular for rural and indigenous communities. The government of Peru estimates there were 21 000 active fishers in 2022 (PRODUCE, 2023[1]; Government of Peru, 2024[14]), representing about 16% of total employment in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. Many of these fishers complement their income with other economic activities like agriculture and cattle ranching (Paredes et al., 2024[21]).
References
[7] Coayla, E. et al. (2023), “Industrial marine fishing in the face of climate change in Peru”, Journal of Marine Sciences, Vol. 2023/1, pp. 1-10, https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/9984319.
[24] De la Puente, S. et al. (2020), “Growing into poverty: Reconstructing Peruvian small-scale fishing effort between 1950 and 2018”, Frontiers in Marine Science, Vol. 7, https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.00681.
[2] FAO (2024), “Consumption of aquatic products”, FishStat database, https://www.fao.org/fishery/en/collection/global_fish_consump (accessed on 10 December 2024).
[3] FAO (2024), The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, https://doi.org/10.4060/cd0683en.
[4] FAO (2023), “Global capture production 1950-2020”, FishStatJ, https://www.fao.org/fishery/en/statistics/software/fishstatj.
[27] FAO (2023), La situación y tendencia de las pesquerías continentales de América Latina y el Caribe, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, https://doi.org/10.4060/cc3839es.
[13] FAO (2022), FishStat: Global Aquatic Trade Statistics 1976-2022, http://www.fao.org/fishery/en/statistics/software/fishstatj (accessed on December 2024).
[14] Government of Peru (2024), Review of Peru’s fisheries and aquaculture: Policy information request for the background report informing the formal opinion of the OECD Fisheries Committee (COFI) on the accession of Peru to the Organisation.
[8] Hilborn, R. and U. Hilborn (2019), Ocean Recovery, Oxford University Press, https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198839767.001.0001.
[19] IMARPE (2024), Informe ejecutivo “Cuarta encuesta estructural de la pesqueria artesanal en el litoral peruano, ENEPA IV 2022-2023”, Ministry of Production, https://cdn.www.gob.pe/uploads/document/file/6908889/5966295-cuarta-encuesta-estructural-de-la-pesqueria-artesanal-en-el-litoral-peruano-enepa-iv-2022-2023.pdf.
[20] OECD (2025), Draft OECD Economic Survey: Peru 2025, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://one.oecd.org/document/ECO/EDR/ACS(2025)2/en/pdf.
[17] OECD (2025), OECD Review of Fisheries 2025, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/560cd8fc-en.
[6] OECD (2024), “Aquaculture production”, OECD Data Explorer, http://stats.oecd.org/wbos/default.aspx?datasetcode=FISH_AQUA.
[18] OECD (2024), “Employment in fisheries, aquaculture and processing”, OECD Data Explorer.
[23] OECD (2024), “Fishing fleet”, OECD Data Explorer, https://data-explorer.oecd.org/s/2t8.
[25] OECD (2024), “Inland fisheries”, OECD Data Explorer, https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=FISH_INLAND.
[16] OECD (2024), “International trade of fisheries commodities”, OECD Data Explorer.
[5] OECD (2024), “Marine landings”, OECD Data Explorer, http://stats.oecd.org/wbos/default.aspx?datasetcode=FISH_LAND.
[28] OECD (2024), OECD Data Explorer: Fisheries and Aquaculture, https://data-explorer.oecd.org/?fs[0]=Topic%2C1%7CAgriculture%20and%20fisheries%23AGR%23%7CFisheries%20and%20aquaculture%23AGR_FSA%23&pg=0&fc=Topic&bp=true&snb=6.
[9] OECD (2023), OECD Economic Surveys: Peru 2023, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/081e0906-en.
[12] OECD/FAO (2024), OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2024-2033, OECD Publishing, Paris/Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, https://doi.org/10.1787/4c5d2cfb-en.
[26] Ortega, H. et al. (2012), Lista anotada de los peces de aguas continentales del Perú: Estado actual del conocimiento, distribución, usos y aspectos de conservación, Ministerio del Ambiente, Dirección General de Diversidad, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274193558_Lista_anotada_de_los_peces_de_aguas_continentales_del_Peru_Estado_actual_del_conocimiento_distribucion_usos_y_aspectos_de_conservacion.
[21] Paredes, C. et al. (2024), La pesca en el Perú: Una ruta hacia un futuro próspero y sostenible, Universidad Continental, Fondo Editorial, Huancayo, Peru, https://doi.org/10.18259/978-612-4443-64-0.
[22] PRODUCE (2025), Embarcaciones pesqueras registradas, https://consultasenlinea.produce.gob.pe/ConsultasEnLinea/consultas.web/embarcacion.
[10] PRODUCE (2024), Anuario estadistico pesquero y Acuicola 2023, Ministry of Production, San Isidro, Lima, https://www.producempresarial.pe/anuario-estadistico-pesquero-y-acuicola-2023.
[1] PRODUCE (2023), Anuario estadístico pesquero y acuícola 2022, Ministry of Production, https://ogeiee.produce.gob.pe/index.php/en/shortcode/oee-documentos-publicaciones/publicaciones-anuales/item/1116-anuario-estadistico-pesquero-y-acuicola-2022.
[15] PRODUCE (2023), National Aquaculture Policy to 2030, Ministry of Production, https://rnia.produce.gob.pe/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/POLITICA-NACIONAL-DE-ACUICULTURA.pdf.
[11] PROMPERU (2023), Desenvolvimiento del comercio exterior: Pesquero y acuicola, 2023, Trade, Tourism and Investment Commission of Peru, https://recursos.exportemos.pe/desenvolvimiento-del-comercio-exterior-pesquero-y-acuicola-2023.pdf.pdf.pdf.
← 1. ENSO is a global climate phenomenon that emerges from variation in winds and sea surface temperatures over the tropical Pacific Ocean. Those variations have an irregular pattern but El Niño events occur at intervals of two to seven years and last nine months to two years. The warming phase of the sea surface temperature is known as El Niño and the cooling phase as La Niña. The Southern Oscillation is the accompanying atmospheric oscillation, which is coupled with the sea temperature change.
← 2. According to Supreme Decree 012 of 2001, vessels under 32.5 m3 limit of load capacity, among other criteria, are considered artisanal.
← 3. These categories roughly correspond to small-scale and artisanal vessels under the Peruvian classification.
← 4. Legislative Decree 1392 of 2018.