Giant squid, Dosidicus gigas. (Photo: Stock File)

Valparaíso SMEs reject bill regulating giant squid fishery

CHILE
Monday, July 02, 2018, 21:40 (GMT + 9)

A total of 27 small and medium marine resource processing plants in Valparaiso Region, grouped in the AGETREMAR trade association, raised their voices to categorically reject the bill that aims to set jigging as the only fishing gear for the capture of giant squid.

It is the first time that SMEs processors, which together make up more than 2,000 workers and mostly women, have publicly participated by rejecting the initiative to be voted in the next few days in the Chamber of Deputies, after having been returned to be discussed in the Fisheries and Aquaculture Commission due to the presentation of indications. The companies claim that they have never been invited to give their opinion formally.

As they explained, SMEs in Valparaíso recognize their main partners in artisanal fishing, but for strictly operational reasons, they claim that this sector does not have the capacity to maintain a regular supply of giant squid (Dosidicus gigas) because, among many other factors, its operations are subject to climate issues.

"This practical and operational issue that we experience throughout the year puts in serious risk the continuity needed by our processing activity and that enables us to fulfill contracts and shipments to our customers mainly from Asia," said AGETREMAR president, fishing engineer Patricia Carrasco C.

"It is known that the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization (SPRFMO) has interest in setting giant squid quota by countries and we see that our country is not addressing this matter," added the trade union leader. "This international organization assigns percentages of participation and this is based on the history of catches of the member countries but Chile in recent years has not even managed to fish the total of its internal quota."

In AGETREMAR they emphasize that their plants have generated permanent processes of innovation and development, maintain a thriving economic activity in Valparaíso Region and that in recent years they have been sustained thanks to resources such as the giant squid, achieving with their products the most demanding world markets competitively.

Related articles:

- ASIPES insists on manual giant squid catch parliamentary project unconstitutionality
- Chamber of Deputies approves bill regulating giant squid capture
- Artesanal sector calls for support to eliminate trawling in giant squid catch
- Bill regulating giant squid capture splits industrial and artisanal sectors
- Fishing association rejects use of 'inhuman line' for catching giant squid

[email protected]
www.seafood.media

Print