Overview
- Scientific tests by Senasa and field reports in early July show coastal warming has left anchoveta scarce at the surface, causing hundreds of seabirds and several marine mammals to die of starvation or extreme weakness.
- Artisanal fishers from Chorrillos to northern ports say they spend 12 to 15 hours at sea for tiny hauls, forcing double shifts, raising fuel and bait costs, and pushing some local fish prices up sharply.
- The national government has declared 796 districts at risk and set aside more than S/4,200 million for prevention and emergency measures aimed at river works, temporary infrastructure and readiness programs.
- Private and sector analysts estimate heavy economic fallout with Credicorp forecasting about S/16,000 million in losses across 2026–2027 and Conveagro warning the agricultural sector could lose over US$3,000 million and see production fall up to 50%.
- Researchers at Imarpe, ENFEN and universities warn the coastal event could overlap a central‑Pacific El Niño, increasing the risk of simultaneous northern floods and southern droughts and highlighting the need for accelerated monitoring, river management and targeted cash and credit support for affected communities.