These acquisitions brought the total current size of its purse seine fleet to 34 and the number of fishmeal plants to 6, thus further consolidating its competitive position in Peru and increasing economies of scale. Strategically, this also ensures that the Group secures its long-term access to more fish resources. As a result, many vessels were available to fish under various types of access arrangements or on the high seas on a low-cost basis (with a view to just covering their variable costs).