Comparacion de los impactos ambientales y aspectos socioeconomicos de las cadenas de produccion de anchoveta

Abstract

Here we present preliminary results of a research program aimed at comparing three commercial fleets (industrial with steel hull, semi-industrial with wood hull and small-scale) targeting anchoveta in Peruvian waters, as well as their supply chains up to consumers. The objective is to study the sustainability of activities related to protein supply, taking into account environmental impacts and socio-economical aspects. A simple scheme of a pelagic upwelling ecosystem and its main fluxes of energy and material resulting from human exploitation are presented. The scheme is representative of the Peruvian case and show high level of anthropization of the system due to the use of fossil energies and to technological transformation of natural resources (minerals, wood, etc.). Furthermore we show how the exploitation of the Peruvian marine ecosystem has a global impact due to exportation of fishmeal and fish oil used mainly for aquaculture. The Peruvian fishing fleet is characterized by an extended range of boat sizes (from 2 to 600 t of holding capacity); boats of intermediate size (30-100 t) are the most numerous, but large boats (>300 t) accumulate the highest fishing capacity. Analysis of prices and rent distribution between crew members and ship owners show that, despite the fact that most of the anchoveta production is landed by the industrial fleet with steel hull, which supply the fishmeal and fish oil market and present the highest efficiency by crew member, the contribution of the semi-industrial fleet with wood hull is significant, generates more employment by ton landed and possibly does not result in major use of energy. In contrast, the small-scale fishery is more energy consuming and less efficient by crewmember, but it generates much more employment. This last fishery represents less than 3% of the total production from which only a fraction is used for direct human consumption (DHC). Since the year 2000 the fishmeal and fish oil prices keep growing on international markets, due to the increase of the Asiatic demand and to the increase of fuel price. To what extent these increases in price are detrimental to the national consumption of these products and to the use of anchoveta for DHC must be investigated. This analysis must be validated and complemented by information on environmental impact and should contribute to a participative decisionmaking aimed at an optimal balance between the three segments of the fleet and associated supply chains.