The catch of Punctuated Snake Eel (Ophichthus remiger), located off the coasts of Piura and Tumbes in northern Peru, has become the first in the world to be declared eligible to supply MSC-certified supply chains under the “MSC Improvement Product” category.
This program serves as a preparatory stage toward full MSC certification, which ensures sustainable, traceable, and environmentally responsible fishing practices. Entry into the MSC Improvement Program reflects the progress made by the Peruvian Eel Producers Association (APPA), with technical support from public institutions such as IMARPE and the Ministry of Production.
The new Fisheries Management Regulation, approved in 2024, along with a cooperation agreement with IMARPE, has enabled the implementation of responsible practices, minimizing by-catch, and reduced the fishery’s environmental impact.
This international recognition positions northern Peru’s Punctuated Snake Eel fishery as a model of sustainability in Latin America, granting it the right to use the “MSC Improvement Product” label—a key step toward achieving full MSC certification.