Download PERU SUMMARY REPORT 2007

___________________________________________________________________________
2008/MRCWG/021
Agenda Item: 1
Economy Report - Peru
Purpose: Information
Submitted by: Peru
21st Marine Resource Conservation Working
Group Meeting
Piura, Peru
14–18 April 2008
ECONOMY REPORT – PERU
SUMMARY REPORT
21st APEC Marine Resource Conservation Working Group
Piura, Peru, 14-18 April 2008
DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL PROGRESS FOR MARINE RESOURCE CONSERVATION
AND MARINE RELATED POLICY EFFORTS TO ADVANCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
BALI PLAN OF ACTION.
SUMMARY
During the past year, Peru has achieved significant progress on a range of national and regional
activities aimed at improving marine resource conservation. Peru has completed a major step in the
implementation of its domestic fishing management policy. As a result, important stock sustainability
has been achieved. We also considered as a main target, to address the issue of marine pollution
from land based sources. On this respect, private sector awareness has responded successfully. In
relation to our efforts in designing and implementing plans on ICAM (Integrated Coastal Zone
Management), we have established relevant guidelines for accomplishment. Finally, we are moving
forward on implementing the ”Ecosystem Approach” principles proposed by FAO to oceans and
fisheries management through objectives-based management systems.
The Peruvian Sea Research Institute (IMARPE), the Vice Ministry of Fisheries and our National
Environmental Commission (CONAM), is working coordinately to implement these important tasks.
Other National institutions, Universities and NGOs collaborate with these efforts.
An important political initiative was discussed during this period in Peru: the implementation by law of
a new “Environmental Ministry” that will regulate and monitor all important environmental issues. The
Commission designed to prepare this proposal was briefed on the issues of fisheries, marine pollution
and marine resources conservation.
During this period, one of the most important activities have been related to the understanding and
monitoring of the El Niño and La Niña Southern Oscillation (ENSO) within the Southeast Pacific
Region and its impact in the marine ecosystem. The large climatic shifts occurred in the Pacific
during the warm period of El Niño in 2006 and the cold period of La Niña in 2007 was a clear
evidence of the large interannal climate variability of our ocean region. This represents an important
challenge for us: the need to understand this fluctuations and its impact in the marine ecosystem in
order to define policy issues for the fisheries and marine conservation administration.
Another important initiative under way is the implementation of an important Marine Protected Area in
the coast of Peru. This corresponds to a system of coastal islands and capes that belonged to the
guano bird’s administration and has been under an effective protection for about 150 years. This
proposal is aimed to protect the ecosystem of this highly productive areas and its endemic species
from industrial fisheries and uncontrolled aquaculture.
Other activities related to the protection of the marine environment, are the implementation of the
Protocol for the protection of the Southeast Pacific against land-based sources of Pollution. A pilot
project to evaluate this critical problem in an industrial harbor was conducted with the financial support
of UNDP under a regional project of the CPPS (Comision Permanente del Pacific Sur).
Peru is a signatory member of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Under this context the
government has designed the Biological Diversity National Strategy and is now in preparation of the
National Action Plan for the Marine Biodiversity Conservation.
Finally, an important initiative that will promote several initiatives related to the Bali Plan of Action is
the proposal that Peru and Chile is preparing to present to the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) of
the World Bank to implement the “Humboldt Large Marine Ecosystem” (HLME) project. This is an
ambitious 10 year coordinated project to study this LME focused in the fisheries and biodiversity
issues...
Ensuring the sustainable management of the marine environment and its resources
Understanding oceans, seas and coasts
Oceans Observations and Data Collection
National institutions continue working coordinately on ocean observation and data collection
programs. The extended network of oceanographic coastal stations and the set of ocean buoys
complementing the TAO array in the Pacific Ocean, provide real-time data managed as the
NAYLAMP national program. All these stations and buoys transmit real time oceanographic data for
different applications: Tsunami warning, storm waves forecast and El Niño forecast and monitoring.
Data is available to the world community via the Hydrographic Office (www.dhn.mil.pe) and the
IMARPE (www.imarpe.gob.pe) webpage’s.
During periodical cruises along the coast (4 cruises per year, in average) oceanographic and
biological data are continuously collected while evaluating the fish stocks. This provides a vast
amount of multidisciplinary data, used for fisheries assessment and sustainable management by the
corresponding authorities. A biological buoy is permanently transmitting real-time data in the northern
coast off Peru. This data is available to the world community in the IMARPE webpage.
Peru is involved in a program called ERFEN (the Regional Study on El Niño Phenomenon). This
program involves countries such as Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Chile. This program is coordinated
by the CPPS and involves exchange of real time data, publishing of a monthly bulletin and the
execution of an annual simultaneous oceanographic cruise along the South American coast. These
regional cruises have been carried out for the last 10 years. Results of the above mentioned activities
are found in the CPPS (South Pacific Permanent Commission) webpage (www.cpps.org)
Peru is part of the Regional Alliance for the GOOS program (GRASP) and contributes to this
international effort in several national and regional programs. During 2007 Peru implemented a
proposal to perform a Langrangian study of the Eastern south pacific circulation using SVP drifters of
the Global Drifter Program of GOOS.
Some Peruvian institutions like IMARPE and the Geophysical Institute (IGP) together with Chilean
institutions actively participate in the WCRP project VOCALS REx/VAMOS (Regional Ocean Cloud
Atmosphere-Land Study). Our research vessel “Jose Olaya” will participate in Coastal VOCALS
Experiment in October-November 2008. One of the main goals of VOCALS program is to diminish
and to eliminate the systematic errors in the global climate models in the Eastern South Pacific.
Recently, several national and international research institutions, as the IRD (French Institute of
Research for Development) and the IAEA (International Agency of Atomic Energy), have started a
research project focused on paleoclimatology and paleoceanography from marine sediment records
off the Peruvian coast. This project will explore and attempt to interpret past climate changes and the
ecological responses in the Peruvian upwelling system during the last centuries and millennia. These
studies, combined with historical information of climate conditions, are suggesting a decreasing trend
of coastal sea surface temperatures off Central Peru during the twentieth century, contrasting with the
positive trend exhibited by the offshore environment. New efforts are underway to develop modeling
tools for research of circulation dynamics off Peru, in combination with atmospheric modeling.
Furthermore forecasting of climate conditions (especially for ENSO evolution) is being improved with
statistical and modeling tools. We are now planning to start a new research area on paleoclimate
modeling.
Understanding the Value of the marine sector
Peru has created a national technical group for the valuation o goods and services from natural
resources, under the National Environmental Commission (CONAM). The task of this group is to
elaborate guidelines for the development of tools for valuing the services provided among others from
our oceans. Some studies have been developed on the knowledge of non economic and economic
value of the marine environment, specifically referred to coastal bays. More work has to be done in
this field.
Managing the marine environment sustainable
Ecosystem-based Management
Large efforts are being directed towards implementing an integrated management of our marine
ecosystem. The result of an important part of this work was presented during the International
Conference “The Humboldt Current System: climate, oceans ecosystem processes and fisheries” held
in Lima in December 2006 that will be published in a special issue of the Progress in Oceanography
scientific journal in May 2008.
Some of this work deals with paradigms like the trophic ecology of anchovy, ecotrophic modelisation
of the entire ecosystem, impact of physics on fish and fishers, changes in hake population related to
fishing mortality, meso-scale activities, etc. Peru is also participating in the EUR-OCEANS working
group: “EAF indicators: a comparative approach across ecosystems” directed to develop and
compare ecosystem indicators for each one of the most important ones in the world. To follow on this,
a working group called “Ecosystem approach to Fisheries in Peru” has been locally implemented
aimed to assess how far Peru is from the implementation of the Ecosystem approach to Fisheries.
These and other research projects are underway with the cooperation of IRD from France. Results
are expected to improve real time fisheries management under an ecosystems approach.
Marine Protected Areas (MPA)
Peru is considered to have one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world being the Humboldt
Large Marine Ecosystem one of the most productive of the oceans.
There is an international concern to protect these ecosystems using small representative protected
areas for the conservation of endemic species or other valuable assets. In the ocean, these are the
Marine Protected Areas (MPA’s). Several countries already have advanced programs of MPAs in their
national coastline and open ocean under their jurisdiction.
In Peru there is still a small % of its coastline classified as MPA. An important initiative is currently
being developed, to protect the guano islands and capes along the coast. The Peruvian guano
islands and coastal capes were under special protection due to the guano bird population since 1909.
A new law has recently approved to include these islands and capes as part of the Peruvian System
of Natural Protected Areas. This will make this new system of islands the single MPA that stretches in
such a large area along the coast of South America.
Currently, Peru is elaborating the Plan of Action for the Natural Protected Areas of Islands and
Coastal Capes within the framework of the Humboldt LME project, and the financial support of The
Nature Conservancy.
Impacts of human activities
Although the Peruvian coastline is mostly unpolluted, there are some areas with levels of pollution in
specific populated coastal cities and industrial bays areas. Examples are Ferrol Bay in Chimbote and
Callao Bay where the industrial and urban wastes have altered their marine ecosystems due to the
high levels of organic and inorganic pollutants.
Several institutions manage a network of coastal sample stations and laboratories that are monitoring
the water quality for recreation, domestic and industrial uses.
In order to reduce the impacts of human activities, including fishing practices and aquaculture, Peru’s
local authorities including the national Ministry for Industry and Fisheries, the national environmental
authority and specialized institutions have been working jointly with NGO´s and the private sector to
set up specific programs along the coastal zone. The Ministry will soon approve new standards for
maximum allowable limits for industrial effluents and the private sector is investing in treatment plants
and submarine collectors
Another program is carried out in the coastal areas and beaches by the Peruvian sanitary authority to
monitor water quality for recreational purposes.
Another important activity is related to national and international efforts in marine conservation
promoting good fishing practices among artisanal fishermen to avoid stranding and incidental catches
of seabirds, marine turtles and other species.
Marine Pollution
Peru is implementing the national and regional component of the Global Program of Action for the
Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (GPA).
Baseline studies have been carried out in the most important coastal areas affected by landbase
activities, and 2 pilot projects have been carried out to mitigate the impact of landbase industrial
discharges:
The first project was implemented in the National Marine Reserve of Paracas, an important area
where fisheries, tourism and the construction of a Natural Gas Processing Facility, required a
management plan. In 2003 a Commission for the sustainable development of the Paracas Bay was
established to elaborate an Action Plan. The recovery of this bay has been successful and a
monitoring program of the water quality is carried out in a permanent basis.
The second pilot project, funded by the UNEP is designed to reduce the Ferrol Bay pollution, an area
affected by several landbase discharges and the most important fishing harbor in the coast of Peru.
The baseline study of this project and the diagnostics are already finished, and a plan of action is
being developed to reduce the land based pollutants to recover this seriously affected bay. The
project included the development of an ecological zonation, the biodiversity study, the social and
economic diagnosis and the inventory of land-based sources of pollution.
In order to coordinate all national efforts to protect the marine environment and coastal zones a National
Commission was installed in 2006. Its task will be to implement the local Action Plan for the Protection of
the Marine Environment and Coastal Zones of the Southeast Pacific. High level representatives of
several Ministries and the National Environmental Council are planning activities to address the
protection and conservation of the coastal ecosystems and the reduction of risks to human health.
Support international and regional cooperation from various sources including oil spills and
discharges from vessels DICAPI
At the regional level, Peru is an active participant in the Regional and National Plans of Contingency
against oil spills and other harmful substances coordinated between coastal nations of the Southeast
Pacific (Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Chile). Periodically, regional meetings, oil spill
simulation exercises, and advanced training courses are being coordinated within these plans at the
local and regional level. In addition, other international agreements and protocols are being
implemented for the prevention and control of the marine environmental pollution from various
sources.
Derelict fishing gear and derelict vessels
Peru recently started a national Field Survey among artisanal and industrial fishermen to gather
information on the impacts of derelict fishing gear in the Peruvian fisheries. It is being conducted by
the Fisheries Institute with the cooperation of fishermen organizations, local universities and NGO`s.
There is also a current project for compiling information on the activity of artisan fisheries including
non reported fishing. A joint project is underway with artisan fishing communities to assess the impact
of these activities.
Marine Invasive Species
Peru is a member of the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD). Within this framework a national Action
Plan for the Conservation of Biodiversity has been elaborated by the CPPS at the regional level.
Taking into consideration the CBD strategic objectives on invasive marine species, namely to develop
measures to identify and monitor invasive organisms and to establish networks and other mechanisms for a
rapid and efficient treatment to these organisms, Peru has elaborated the first Preliminary Report on marine
invasive alien species (IAS).
An international Workshop on IAS emergent threats identified the need for the following lines of action:
 Analyzing the information on exotic invasive species to identify affected areas in the marinecoastal zone of Peru.
 Improving the Data Base for the elaboration of the list of potential invasive exotic species resulting
from the aquiculture and maritime transport (ballast waters) activities
Peru is currently evaluating its membership to the Ballast Waters Management Agreement, adopted
by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2004. At the national level a Resolution of the
National Maritime Authority dated March 2006, regulates the control of ballast waters and sediment
discharges from vessels. This regulation is related to Resolution 868-IMO, to prevent the risk of
transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogen agents from the ballast waters.
Other Vulnerable Areas
Peru has several marine coastal vulnerable ecosystems like mangroves and wetlands. Both areas are
considered under the System of National Protected Areas, and actions are being planed for the
sustainable use and conservation of these areas. Since 2002, the Institute of Natural Resources has
created a Working Group with the purpose of implementing Ramsar Convention guidelines and the
development of national policies on wetlands.
Enabling Sustainable Development of Coastal Communities
Enable Integrated Coastal Management
Nearly 60% of the Peruvian population lives in the coastal area, most of it in large cities but an important
number in several coastal communities mainly devoted to fishing activities. The artisanal and industrial
fisheries have been growing and hence increasing the pressure on the coastal ecosystems. There is an
urgent need to implement sustainable development plans for these communities. As mentioned above in this
report, two pilot projects have been developed in 2 sensible coastal areas. However, much work must be
done in this respect in the future.
The national Action Plan under the committee for the Protection of the Marine Coastal Areas has addressed
this issue and is priorizing projects in other sensible coastal areas.
Our economy is developing the ICAM (Integrated Coastal Area Management) concept to be applied for
coastal communities. We require capacity building programs to implement this modern approach to coastal
management. At a regional level, the IOC of UNESCO is sponsoring an ICAM training program for the
Southeast Pacific countries which is currently being implemented.
Hazard Mitigation
The main costal hazards that affect the coastal communities in Peru are earthquakes and the consequent
tsunamis. Coastal flooding and landslides caused by heavy rain due to the El Niño phenomena in the
normally dry coastal areas are also hazardous for the coastal population.
Tsunamis
Peru is member of the International Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), and member of the
International System of Tsunamis Warning in the Pacific (ITSU). The Peru Hydrographic Office
manages a coastal sea level network that provides information for the tsunami warning system in
order to mitigate its impacts in the Pacific. This Office of the Navy is responsible for the national
Tsunami warning system. As such, it makes awareness and training campaigns for local fishermen
and authorities along the coast.
It also produces the inundation charts for the most vulnerable and populated areas of the coast to
help authorities organize their evacuations plans.
On February 2008, the Hydrographic office organized the international meeting "Workshop for the
establishment of a Regional System of Early Warning against Tsunamis for the Southeast Pacific
Ocean ". The objective of this event was to improve the existing conditions of local observations
systems and it integration to the Regional Network for the exchange of updated data during a possible
“Tsunami Warning".
On October 15th 2008, a strong earthquake hit the southern coast of Peru and a tsunami arrived to the
coastal town of Pisco. This tsunami affected the large fisheries population whose boats landed on the
coast some severely damaged. The government implemented a plan to help this fishermen
community to recover their gear and boats and go back to their activities.
Coastal storms
Coastal storms are not severe along the coast of Peru, but they can be hazardous to small fishing
vessels and to seafood collectors along the coast. It produces coastal storm forecasts for 12, 24 and
48 hours. The local Port Captain Offices along the coast are responsible for providing this information
to local fishermen so they can take appropriate action. In severe storm conditions the Port authority
will close all port activities to prevent and mitigate the possible impact on vessels and crew.
El Niño and La Niña
In order to mitigate El Niño impacts, the government has organized an El Niño warning and
prevention system. This is managed by a national committee of 4 national research institutions and
the Civil Defense system. The committee provides monthly reports on El Niño and La Niña warnings
to the public and the media, and the Civil Defense local committees are responsible for organizing
and prepare the population to prevent and mitigate the possible impact of these events.
The Direction of Hidrography and Navigation and IMARPE are responsible for the assessment of the
oceanographic conditions in Peru. It has participated in the elaboration of the official statements and
Technical Reports on the assessment of the climatic event La Niña which affected the coast of Peru
from April 2007 to date.
Because of the important economic impact of this event, the government has created a high level authority
called the PREVEN (reduction of vulnerabilities against El Niño).
Post-Natural Disaster Rehabilitation and Planning
Because the coast of Peru is frequently affected by natural disasters, there is a national effort to prepare
action plans to attend coastal communities in disaster rehabilitation. The national office of Civil Defense is
responsible of this post natural disaster rehabilitation plans. They have a decentralized logistical support
system, and an information system to manage their resources in the case of a disaster.
The main task of the Civil Defense is the organization and training of local authorities to be able to develop
and manage their own local disaster mitigation plans. The local mayor of each city is the Civil Defense
responsible for his community and for his emergency plans in case of natural disasters.
In extreme events, the Armed Forces have their own plans to provide logistical support to transport food,
medicines and tents to all the territory using trucks ships and planes as necessary.