The Evolution of Scallop Farming in the Bay of Sechura
The Bay of Sechura, located off the coast of Peru, presents a compelling case study in the evolution of an industry. Thirty years ago, the bay was an open-access marine space, freely utilized by small-scale fishers. Over time, the bay’s optimal conditions for scallop farming became clear: Scallop seeds are either collected from the wild or from hatcheries and then placed in designated areas in the bay–culture plots–where they grow for eight to nine months.
As word spread about the potential for high profits, many fishers migrated to the area, leading to the rapid development of a high-risk, high-reward industry centered on exporting scallops, primarily to Europe. With climate change, however, these favorable conditions seem to be becoming increasingly scarce.
Initially, these culture plots emerged informally, with informal property rights often enforced through violent means, including the use of firearms. Scallop farmers installed guardian boats to permanently observe their plots to prevent poaching, a practice still in place today. Over time, these rights were formalized and initially granted exclusively to small-scale fishers. These small-scale operators, however, often lacked the resources to deal with the inherent risks of scallop farming. As a result, many plots transitioned into the hands of larger companies, first informally and then formally. Through this shift, many fishers lost their plots and started working as day laborers.
The working conditions for these laborers are harsh. They often engage in compressor diving, a hazardous method where divers breathe through a hose directly placed in their mouth to collect seeds and harvest scallops from the seabed–a tough job for little pay–which is usually accompanied by serious health issues: the air from the compressor is not clean, the dives are too long, and the ascents and descents are done too quickly. Additionally, many risk their lives guarding the properties of plot owners in the middle of the sea, a dangerous occupation that resulted in 20 deaths due to robbery conflicts in 2023. There is little to no state enforcement to protect these workers.
Despite these challenges, the Bay of Sechura remains a significant player in the global scallop market. Peru is the fourth largest producer of scallops (EUMOFA 2023) and the Bay of Sechura is responsible for the large majority of the national production (Kluger et al. 2018). Most of it is exported to the European Union. To ensure the development of a socially sustainable blue economy, a sustainable supply chain where labor rights exist and the health of the workers is not endangered, although difficult from a governance perspective, seems to be heavily needed. Implementing such a measure could help protect the rights and safety of local fishers, fostering a more equitable and sustainable industry in the Bay of Sechura.
For more information on the evolution of the scallop production in Sechura Bay, see the following book chapter and paper, written by Humboldt Tipping members:
Schlüter, A., Kluger, L. C., Garteizgogeascoa, M. & Damonte, G. (2023). Resource Grabbing and the Blue Commons: The Evolution of Institutions in Scallop Production in Sechura Bay, Peru. In Routledge Handbook of Global Land and Resource Grabbing. Routledge.
Kluger, L.C., Taylor, M.H., Wolff, M., Stotz, W. and Mendo, J. (2019), From an open-access fishery to a regulated aquaculture business: the case of the most important Latin American bay scallop (Argopecten purpuratus). Rev Aquacult, 11: 187-203. https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.12234
