Peru implements aquaculture protections against El Niño

Peru is implementing protective measures for its aquaculture sector to mitigate the impacts of the El Niño phenomenon. The Ministry of Production, through the National Authority for Fisheries and Aquaculture Health and Food Safety (Sanipes), has issued guidelines to safeguard crops of trout, tilapia, shrimp, and scallops. Recommended actions include intensive water quality monitoring, controlling feeding density, and managing oxygen levels through aeration or increased water exchange.

In the Peruvian Amazon, the phenomenon poses additional risks due to low rainfall and rising temperatures. The Amazonian Research Institute of Peru (IIAP) warns that receding river levels and increased water temperatures can disrupt fish reproduction and feeding. For fish farming in ponds, evaporation and reduced oxygen levels increase mortality risks. Experts recommend reducing feed by 20% to 30% during drought periods to prevent organic matter accumulation from depleting oxygen, and suggest conducting fish sampling during cooler, early morning hours.