Chilean President Sebastian Pinera has unveiled a detailed plan of national reconstruction. (Photo: Gobiernodechile.cl)

Emergency measures announced for fishing industry

CHILE
Thursday, March 25, 2010, 23:40 (GMT + 9)

The national government announced that it will invest USD 110 million to start up a federal rebuilding initiative following the earthquake and tsunami disaster of 27 February. In artisanal fishing, which was one of the most affected productive sectors, several emergency measures will be applied.

Several ministers presented the first actions that will be implemented in the areas of Economy, Planning and Education in a press conference last Friday.

In general, the package called ‘Levantemos Chile’ ['Let's Raise Chile'] will be financed through the use of existing state resources and budgetary allocations from the Fisheries Administration Fund and the Artisanal Fishing Financing Fund .

In the economy sector, authorities plan to assign resources to the artisanal fishing sector in an effort to boost its recovery, and co-finance the costs of replacing or repairing vessels, motors and fishing gear, the expansion of fishing permits and waiving of patent payments.

According to the newly elected president of the country, Sebastian Pinera, the productive apparatus must once again be started up “creating 60,000 new job opportunities, especially in the most affected regions and for those that need it the most.”

"Soon we will have to undertake the most difficult and challenging stage: to rebuild our houses, our schools, our hospitals, our public works, and also the equipment and machinery that this tragedy destroyed, and better” the Chilean Head of State continued saying.

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Pinera stressed that the earthquake left at least USD 30 billion in patrimonial damages.

Specifically, the fishing sector will receive CLP 5.5 million (USD 10 million). Some 25 per cent of that total will be designated for the replacement or repair of damaged or lost boats, La Nacion reports.

Meanwhile, seven seafood plants are already operational in the Region of Bio Bio – two in Lota, two in Coronel, one in Escuadron and two in Talcahuano – and another three are expected to begin processing late this month.

Similarly, 92 artisanal fishing boats are already operating normally.

Related article:

- Coloso plants still nonoperational post-earthquake

By Analia Murias
[email protected]
www.seafood.media

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