Trout and tilapia aquaculture in Peru faces a dual challenge: improving early disease detection and preparing for the environmental fluctuations associated with El Niño. In this context, APEC has presented a technical guide, developed by the Peruvian Ministry of Production through Sanipes, to help producers recognize any signs of disease earlier and act quickly.
The document goes beyond general principles. It delves into the details of fish farms and proposes concrete steps for observing fish, monitoring water quality, and reporting potential outbreaks. Furthermore, Sanipes has disseminated recommendations for reducing risks in trout, tilapia, and other aquaculture species, measures that also target international markets, where Spain and France are among the destinations mentioned.
A regional tool of Peruvian origin
The guide was coordinated by Produce, through Sanipes , and is part of an APEC-approved project on the early detection of diseases affecting important aquaculture species. Its aim is to facilitate the early identification of outbreaks, improve health alerts, and strengthen response capacity to prevent the problem from spreading from one farm to another, or from one country to another.
The approach is based on three indicators that can be observed in the field: abnormal fish behavior , changes in water parameters, and the appearance of clinical signs. Using these signs, the methodology known as observe, record, and alert aims to enable even small-scale producers to document what is happening and report it promptly.
- Observe: Monitor swimming, appetite, and any visible changes in the animals.
- To register: Record water data, incidents, and mortality to have a useful history.
- Alert: promptly inform the health authority when any signs consistent with an outbreak appear.
The initiative incorporates experiences from various APEC economies and addresses epidemiological surveillance , notification systems, and the use of new technologies, including artificial intelligence, to support diagnosis and enable a more agile response. The text was reviewed with technical input from APEC members and received the endorsement of the Steering Committee on Economic and Technical Cooperation and the Working Group on Oceans and Fisheries.
The Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Jesús Barrientos , emphasized that a disease is best controlled before it spreads. Detecting a sign early allows for the activation of measures, protecting production and reducing the impact on thousands of families who depend on this activity. The Executive President of Sanipes, Mónica Saavedra , pointed out that strengthening aquaculture health also means safeguarding food safety and the sustainability of a sector with room for growth.
El Niño forces heightened vigilance
Given the potential effects of El Niño on aquatic ecosystems, Sanipes has recommended preventative measures for trout, tilapia, prawn, and scallop farming. The aim is to reduce exposure to sudden changes, prevent stress in the animals, and curb biomass losses through actions tailored to each production system.
For trout, tilapia, and shrimp, the organization advises increasing the frequency of temperature and key physicochemical parameter monitoring when the weather becomes more variable. It also emphasizes the importance of maintaining adequate dissolved oxygen levels through aerators, supplemental oxygenation, or increased water exchange, depending on the specific characteristics of each facility.
Another measure involves reviewing stocking density and considering thinning or early harvesting if environmental conditions compromise the system's capacity. Feeding should be adjusted to the temperature and the fish's behavior, avoiding overfeeding and removing uneaten food to prevent the accumulation of organic matter.
Regarding biosecurity, Sanipes emphasizes the importance of cleaning and disinfecting production units and removing dead animals daily. It also advises having backup generators and pumps available in case extreme weather events interrupt the water supply, and monitoring weather and hydrological forecasts to anticipate management decisions.
Recommendations for scallops include evaluating the early harvesting of commercially sized specimens, reducing mesh density, and monitoring temperature, oxygen, and salinity. This monitoring helps determine the optimal depth for suspended systems or schedule preventative harvests in bottom cultures; it also calls for checking ropes, anchors, and buoys and avoiding the disposal of organic matter on the seabed.
The health authority encourages the prompt reporting of any signs of illness or unusual increases in mortality. Reports concerning tilapia, trout, and prawns can be sent to [email protected] , while alerts regarding abnormal mortality in scallops should be sent to [email protected].
Foreign markets: Spain and France on the list
Between January and July, Peruvian exports of trout, tilapia, shrimp, and scallops totaled $214,48 million , according to data released by Sanipes. Destinations included the United States, South Korea, Spain, France, and Canada, highlighting the commercial importance of this activity for various regions of the country.
For European buyers, and particularly for Spain and France , these figures translate into a flow of aquaculture products that depends on Peruvian production maintaining continuity and sanitary standards. Therefore, preventative measures not only affect fish farms but also influence the available supply and the confidence of international markets.
Sanipes maintains that adopting these precautions reduces the exposure of crops to environmental variations and sustains an activity that generates employment, production, and commercial opportunities. In a changing climate scenario, forecasting and early warning become tools as important as production itself.
What to watch out for in practice
- Water: Monitor temperature, oxygen, salinity, and other physicochemical parameters more frequently when the weather changes.
- Crop load: Review densities, assess thinning, and plan early harvests if the environment deteriorates.
- Feeding: Adjust the food to the behavior and temperature, without excesses and removing the remains.
- Health: disinfect facilities, remove casualties daily, and report unusual illnesses or deaths.
The combination of a regional guide for early detection, surveillance protocols on farms, and El Niño forecasts outlines a common strategy for Peruvian trout and tilapia. The challenge lies in ensuring that these recommendations are implemented daily by fish farmers, that data is recorded rigorously, and that alerts are circulated promptly; both the health of the crops and Peru's position in European markets such as Spain and France depend on it.
