Not all the effects of El Niño are negative for the Peruvian fishing industry, which is finding a greater presence of some oceanic species off the country’s coasts.

Bonito for example, is expected to be available along the coast for the rest of the year, and the abundance of swordfish, tuna, mahi mahi and squid has also increased, according to Marilu Bouchon, general director of pelagic resource research at the Instituto del Mar del Peru (IMARPE).

A survey performed by IMARPE last June revealed that hake has expanded its distribution, and there is also a greater presence of equatorial water species, such as longnose anchovy and slender thread herring.

Research also found that the anchovy, which is more susceptible to environmental variations, has been migrating in search of colder waters and better feed rather than breeding locally.

\"The energy that the anchovy – of which Peru is the first producer -- should be using on breeding, is being employed in staying alive, and it is not the first time this has happened; it is a strategy that it applies in order to survive weather events,\" explained Bouchon in a statement to a local news agency.

IMARPE will continue performing scheduled assessment surveys to gather information on the resource status, in order to have better knowledge and provide recommendations to the Government.

\"At this time we are performing an assessment survey and the results will be ready in approximately 40-50 days. This is a survey all along the coast, that is to say, from the coast to about 60 or 100 miles, where we’ll find the resource,\" outlined the scientist.

Source: FIS.com. Read the full story here.