Decreto 394 Allocates $10.5M Diesel Compensation for Industrial Fishing

Ecuador has created a targeted fuel-cost relief mechanism for industrial fishing after the rise in diesel prices.

Primicias reports that President Daniel Noboa created the mechanism through Decreto 394, described as extraordinary, temporary, targeted and conditioned for the industrial fishing sector, including the tuna segment.

Mechanism Parameters

Parameter	Detail
Instrument	Decreto 394
Signature date	May 23, 2026
Total budget	$10.5 million
Sector	Industrial fishing, including tuna
Payment model	Ex-post recognition after fuel is bought at market price

Primicias reports that the decree states: "La medida no constituye subsidio generalizado al combustible ni transferencia permanente de recursos publicos."

Eligibility Filter

Companies must comply with six conditions cited by Primicias:

• Be listed in the Registro Nacional de Embarcaciones Pesqueras Industriales administered by the Subsecretaria de Recursos Pesqueros.
• Maintain valid ministerial agreements for vessels and corresponding fishing permits.
• Accredit fuel consumption through valid electronic or physical invoices issued by Petroecuador or authorized distributors.
• Be current on tax and employer obligations.
• Register verified fishing activity and landings.
• Meet additional technical, operational and administrative requirements set by the Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganaderia y Pesca.

The mechanism operates ex post: beneficiaries buy fuel at market price and then request economic recognition after documentary, operational and budgetary verification.

Execution Chain

Primicias reports that the Agriculture Ministry will define the technical methodology for calculation, segmentation, distribution and liquidation of the incentive. Criteria include proportionality, fuel consumption, segmentation by fisheries and fiscal sustainability.

For implementation, Petroecuador will provide fuel-consumption information, while BanEcuador or another designated public financial institution will execute payments.

What to watch

• The Agriculture Ministry methodology for segmenting benefit amounts by fishery and fuel consumption.
• Petroecuador consumption data quality, since reimbursement depends on verified invoices and consumption records.
• Whether the $10.5 million budget is enough for the defined period.
• Compliance outcomes for vessels with tax, employer or permit gaps.

Source: Primicias