Peru Mahi Alliance highlights advances in mahi mahi sustainability at Seafood Expo North America 2024

The artisanal mahi-mahi fishery is a significant base of the Peruvian economy, providing considerable income, food security, employment, and sustainable development in coastal communities. It is the second most important at the national level in terms of landings, jobs generated, and export earnings.

Through its three consecutive participations, the PMA has consolidated its presence as a benchmark in the industry, showcasing not only the freshness of its products but also its commitment to sustainable and responsible practices. These participations have strengthened commercial ties with global buyers and have contributed significantly to positioning Peru as a reliable and competitive supplier in the seafood sector.

During the week-long fair, the WFP organized a side event to showcase advances in sustainability, highlighting the mahi-mahi FIP, to major U.S. importers. This event, held as part of the Por la Pesca project and supported by PROMPERÚ and WWF Peru, was aimed at highlighting Peru's international image as a promoter of the sustainable use of this marine resource, thanks to its efforts in scientific research and fisheries management.

The inauguration was in charge of the Boston Consul General of Peru, Stella Chirinos Llerena, who highlighted the efforts of all the actors of the productive chain to work on the sustainability of the mahi mahi fishery resource within the framework of the FIP due to its food and economic importance for our country.

Three presentations were made, including one by Gilary Morales, FIPs officer of WWF Peru, who presented the progress of the indicators according to the international standard for sustainable fishing, MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) and the activities they developed. Likewise, Verónica Rojas, general director of Policies and Regulatory Analysis of Fisheries and Aquaculture of the Ministry of Production (PRODUCE), presented the progress in the management of the fishery, while Francisco Takahashi, vice president of PMA, detailed the actions carried out by the association and its contribution to the principles of the MSC standard.

"In the most recent update of the Fishery Progress platform (platform to obtain information on the progress of global fishery improvement projects), conducted on October 30, 2023, the mahi-mahi FIP received a grade of A, indicating that the fishery is classified as a major progress "Progress advanced" due to the actions implemented so far," said Francisco Takahashi, vice president of PMA.

Dean Holzer and Adriana Sánchez, representatives of D&E Import and Sea Delight, two U.S. importers, were also present. Both commented on the importance of committing to sourcing from sustainable fisheries and continuing to support the efforts being made. In closing, Bernardo Muñoz, Director of the Peru Trade Commission in New York, thanked the participants for their participation and stressed the importance of working together to promote sustainability and to bring more stakeholders into the Mahi-Mahi FIP.

Mahi - mahi commercial importance

According to a report prepared by WWF Peru, during the period 2000-2022, an average of 42,000 tons of this resource were landed annually. In the last decade, an average of 12,000 tons of frozen mahi-mahi were exported annually, generating an average FOB value of US$ 90 million per year for the country.

The WFP has been promoting the work of the FIP to the government, collaborating with multiple actors in the sector to advance the process and creating national spaces to showcase its progress. Demonstrating that goals can be achieved with effort and also, a more prosperous and sustainable vision for the future.

© WWF-Peru