Ecuador small pelagics - purse seine (CNP)

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Overview

The Ecuadorian small pelagic fishery is economically and socially important for the country. One of the end uses for some species caught in the fishery is the production of fishmeal and fish oil. In order to eventually be approved as a source of Marine Trust raw material, the fishmeal industry has worked in association with the National Chamber of Fisheries of Ecuador, the Global Sustainable Supply Chains for Marine Commodities Project, the United Nations Development Programme, the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, and the Global Environment Facility to obtain recognition under the Marine Trust Improver Programme. 

During the period 2012-2016, on average, 80% of the catches were composed of the species: macarela (Pacific chub mackerel, Scomber japonicus); pinchagua (thread herrings, Opisthonema spp); Sardine redonda (red-eye round herring, Etrumeus acuminatus); chuhueco (Pacific anchoveta, Cetengraulis mysticetus); botellita (frigate tuna, Auxis spp); and picudillo (Shortfin scad, Decapterus macrosoma). The small pelagic fishery is carried out using purse seine gears, and catches are used for frozen fish, canned fish, and fishmeal, in accordance with Ecuadorian law. The FIP aims to achieve sustainability of small pelagics stocks in Ecuador. The IFFO RS Standard (now known as MarinTrust) was chosen as the initial benchmark for the assessment of a work plan. Since FisheryProgress requires reporting against the MSC standard,  an analysis of MarinTrust versus MSC was carried out to translate the MarinTrust standard to MSC PIs.

The FIP has operated under the MarinTrust Program since October 2018. The MarinTrust Standard guarantees the following:

  • Eradication of illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing material used as raw material approved by MarinTrust.
  • Raw materials used in the production of marine ingredients from responsibly managed fisheries.
  • Promotion of efficient production practices for marine ingredients to reduce the environmental impact of the fishmeal and fish oil manufacturing process.
  • Safe manufacture of marine ingredients through Good Manufacturing Practices.
  • Existence of effective traceability systems to ensure that MarinTrust compliant marine ingredients can be traced back to the approved MarinTrust raw material fishery.
  • Protection of social rights and welfare of employees in factories producing marine ingredients.
  • For more information about MarinTrust Standard visit: https://www.marin-trust.com/.

As part of the scope of the FIP, 32 vessels are part of the project and represent around 30% of registered and active fishing efforts. The fishmeal producer members of the project represent around 80% of fishmeal exports, while feed producer members represent around 90% of the local market.

FIP Description 

The Ecuadorian small pelagic fishery is economically and socially important for the country. One of the end uses for some species caught in the fishery is the production of fishmeal and fish oil.

FIP Objective(s) 

The FIP objectives are:

  • Improve the fishery, species, habitats and environmental data collection. Objective achieved in 2021.
  • Improve stock assessments of relevant species to the fishery. Develop yearly assessments between 2019-2023.
  • Evaluate potential impact of the fishery in the habitat, ecosystems, and ETP species and managers adopt CMMs. Develop yearly assessments between 2019-2023.
  • Implement management measures (CMMs) by fishery managers accordingly to the Stock Assessments outcomes and recommendations. Objective achieved in 2021.
  • Improve decision making process on fishery management as a transparent, inclusive and participatory process. Objective  achieved in 2020.

Updated objectives Dec 2025:

  • Establish a recovery process for frigate tuna stocks and continuous the strengthen of data collection for all small pelagic species. Objective achieved in December 2025.

 

FIP Type 
Basic
FIP Stage 
Stage 5: Improvements on the Water
Start and Projected End Dates
October 2018
December 2025
Update 
As part of the MarinTrust Improver Programme, the Ecuadorian small pelagic fishery was fully audited with results in November 2023. The assessment concludes that five of the six mains small pelagics species (Pacific chub mackerel, Shortfin scad, Thread herring, Pacific anchoveta, and Round herring) were ready for approval while Frigate tuna still need improvements. The result of the MarinTrust assessment is evidence that the SPS-FIP process was successful to stop overfishing, and recovery the stock. The workplan will continue the improvement process in coordination with public and private stakeholders of the fishery.
Next Progress Report Due 
Friday, January 31, 2025
Species 
Common Name 
Pacific Chub Mackerel
Scientific Name
Scomber japonicus
Common Name 
Thread Herring
Scientific Name
Opisthonema spp.
Common Name 
Pacific Anchoveta
Scientific Name
Cetengraulis mysticetus
Common Name 
Round Herring
Scientific Name
Etrumeus acuminatus
Common Name 
Frigate Tuna
Scientific Name
Auxis spp
Common Name 
Shortfin Scad
Scientific Name
Decapterus macrosoma
Gear Type 
Purse Seine
Location
FAO Major Fishing Area
Area 87 (Pacific, Southeast)
Exclusive Economic Zones
Country 
Ecuador
Geographic Scope 
Ecuador coastal waters
Country Flag of Vessel 
Ecuador
Landings
Estimated Total FIP Landings 
77,141 metric tons
Estimated Total Fishery Landings 
206,209 metric tons
Landings Date 
December 2023
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FIP at a Glance

View current status
October 01, 2018
54% 4% 7% 36%
Progress Rating (A) Advanced Progress

Reserved for comprehensive FIPs that have achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result within the past 12 months.

(B) Good Progress

A basic FIP that has achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result within 12 months.

(C) Some Recent Progress
  • A FIP that has achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result in more than 12 (but less than 24) months AND has reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.
  • A FIP younger than 12 months that has never achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result but has reported a Stage 3 activity within the first 12 months.
(D) Some Past Progress
  • A FIP that has achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result in more than 12 (but less than 24) months BUT has not reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.
  • A FIP for which the most recent Stage 4 or 5 result is more than 24 (but less than 36) months old AND a Stage 3 activity has been reported within six months.
  • A FIP 12-36 months old that has never reported a Stage 4 or 5 result AND has reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.
(E) Negligible Progress
  • A FIP for which the most recent Stage 4 or 5 result is more than 24 (but less than 36) months old, with no Stage 3 activity reported in the last six months.
  • A FIP younger than 12 months with no Stage 3 activity reported within 12 months.
  • A FIP 12-36 months old that has never reported a Stage 4 or 5 result AND has not reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.

The ratings are currently derived by SFP from publicly available data on FIP websites, including FisheryProgress.org, and are determined using the following methodology: View PDF
B Good Progress
Actions Complete

This pie chart represents completed environmental actions. Non-completed environmental actions may contain completed sub-tasks that are not illustrated here. For more information on environmental action progress visit the Actions Progress tab.
  • Complete
  • Incomplete
Next Update Due FisheryProgress requires a FIP to provide update reports every six months, and two missed reports will render the FIP inactive. If a report is overdue, this date will appear red.
Jan 2025
Target End Date
Dec 2025
Additional Impacts:
Other

FIP Leads

Organization Name 
National Chamber of Fisheries
Organization Type 
NGO
Primary Contact 
Jimmy Anastacio
Email 
fip@smallpelagics.org
Phone 
(593) 42 306 142
Website Name 
Small Pelagics Sustainability / CNP
FIP Identification Number The FIP Identification Number is automatically generated by FisheryProgress when a FIP profile is created. While the number itself is not meaningful, they are used by NGOs, academia, and industry to refer to FIPs in a consistent way.
10971