LIMA, Oct 8 (NNN-ANDINA) — Secretary of State of the United States, Antony Blinken, on Friday announced the launch of the Por la Pesca (For Fishing) Project, which will be used to support artisanal fishing and promote sustainable fishing in Peru and Ecuador.
He said the initiative is part of the US Government’s efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The State Secretary indicated that he had seen first hand how IUU fishing threatens the health of oceans and, as a result, the livelihoods and food security of coastal communities.
Blinken noted that the United States is committed to combating IUU fishing globally and will continue to support coastal countries and their communities in confronting it.
He made the announcement during his visit to Chorrillos District’s Artisanal Fishermen Market in Lima, where he was welcomed by the Chairman of Jose Silverio Olaya Balandra Association of Artisanal Fishermen of Chorrillos Cove, Ricardo Laos; the National Society of Artisanal Fishing Chairwoman, Elsa Vega; Peruvian Society for Environmental Law Project Director and Representative, Jessica Hidalgo, as well as USAID Deputy Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean, Marcela Escobari.
“There are fewer and fewer fish (species), and we have to go deeper for days to find them. That creates commercialization problems for us. We host many families who live from fishing (activities),” Laos mentioned.
The Por la Pesca Project seeks to empower artisanal fishing organizations and key actors that contribute to the strengthening and formalization of specialized fishermen in the species of tuna, perico, giant squid, and octopus in strategic places in Ecuadorian and Peruvian waters.
“Illegal harvesting of marine resources threatens the livelihoods of women and men who seek to operate honest and responsible fishing businesses,” Hidalgo said.
“Besides, we know that consumers want the industry and Governments to demonstrate their leadership in the face of this challenge. The goal is to be able to trust that these sea products are captured in a humane and environmentally friendly way,” she added.
Blinken stressed that, through this investment, the United States seeks to promote a balance between the conservation of marine ecosystems with equitable economic growth and the rights of artisanal fishermen.
He pointed out that “we call on other countries to actively participate and support the international community in the fight against IUU fishing.”
Escobari indicated that with an illegal financial flow estimated at US$23 billion a year, illegal, unreported, and, unregulated fishing is often associated with other organized transnational crimes, such as drug and arms trafficking, forced human labor, and human trafficking.
“USAID fights against this (illegal) fishing (activity) worldwide, empowering communities and civil society, as well as partnering with the private sector, just as we are doing here in Peru and Ecuador,” she said.
IUU fishing threatens the sustainability of artisanal fisheries and biodiversity, as well as the livelihoods and resilience of coastal communities. The latest project promotes sustainable and profitable fishing practices in Ecuador and Peru.
Por la Pesca is the outcome of a joint effort by the Walton Family Foundation, which contributes US$12.5 million; the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which is initially providing US$5.7 million, and whose execution will be led by the NGO Peruvian Society for Environmental Law (SPDA), in alliance with Redes Sostenibilidad Pesquera, Pro Delphinus, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Future of Fish, Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP), The Nature Conservancy Peru, WWF – Peru, and WildAid. — NNN-ANDINA
