Chubut's Secretary of Fisheries, Andrés Arbeletche, with Revista Puerto

Fisheries Conflict in Chubut: Province Denies 'U-Turn' on Red Chamber Argentina Contract Rescission

Secretary Andrés Arbeletche Dismisses Rumours and Confirms Lease Remains with Profand Group

RAWSON – The government of Chubut province has strongly denied rumours circulating in national media outlets about a supposed reversal of its decision to rescind the lease contract with Red Chamber Argentina (RCA) for the management of the former Alpesca fishing plant in Puerto Madryn.

In statements to REVISTA PUERTO, Andrés Arbeletche , the provincial Secretary of Fisheries, was emphatic: "The province did not backtrack on absolutely anything." The provincial authority confirmed that the agreement signed with the Profand Group, through its subsidiary Pesquera Deseado, remains in effect, with the latter currently operating as the plant's lessee.

Negotiations, Not Signed Agreements: The Complex Link with RCA

Arbeletche clarified that while the original contract rescission stands, what is ongoing is a negotiation with the North American-capital company (RCA), which has expressed interest in continuing to operate in Chubut, even considering a potential landing in Trelew.

"There are crossed claims between the Province and Red Chamber; they say they invested money in the former Alpesca, and we maintain that there were damages and debts," explained the Secretary, who also represents Chubut on the Federal Fisheries Council. He added that while "a good settlement is always better than a lawsuit," nothing has been signed yet regarding a possible conciliation agreement.

The relationship between the province and RCA deteriorated after the company's departure from the Puerto Madryn plant, leading to ongoing legal and accounting disputes over alleged investments, debts, and damages to the hake production line, for example. Resolving these discrepancies is a "complicated accounting job," admitted Arbeletche, who is also a lawyer.

Profand's Consolidation and Labour Stability

The Secretary of Fisheries praised the initial steps taken by the new lessee, Pesquera Deseado (Profand Group), highlighting its social and labour commitment. "On the first day, they took control of the plant, registered all the workers, and recognized seniority for a percentage that Red Chamber had not. They even paid pending vacation time," he stated.

According to gathered information, Profand currently employs about 470 workers who belonged to Red Chamber and has added 70 new positions. The company, which is of Spanish origin and has a strong presence in international markets, is making investments to reactivate the plant's productive matrix ahead of the upcoming fishing season in provincial waters, tentatively scheduled for November 1st.

Dismissal of External Interference and Cabinet Rumours

Regarding versions linking the negotiations to an alleged intervention by the United States government before a bilateral meeting between Javier Milei and Donald Trump at the White House, Arbeletche was firm in dismissing the information, initially published by Diario Clarín, as "erroneous."

"We've been working with Red Chamber's lawyers in the United States for a while now, but the Clarín report is wrong. The province hasn't backed down on anything," he emphasized.

The official also dismissed rumours about his imminent departure from the provincial cabinet, joking that his exit is scheduled for "December 10, 2027... or perhaps four years later," and he dismissed the "very little credible digital tabloids" that spread the version.

Fishing Season: No Defined Start Date Due to Parity Issues

Finally, Arbeletche confirmed that the prospecting in Chubut's jurisdictional waters still does not have a defined date.

The start of the season is dependent on the resolution of labour negotiations. "We will not start until the parity agreements between chambers and unions are closed. We do not want to start with labour conflicts that end up affecting production or generating ecological losses," he stated. The Secretary confirmed receiving a note from CAFACh (Argentine Chamber of Manufacturers of Frozen High Seas Fish Products) requesting the prospecting.

The provincial government's objective, the official concluded, is to "close pending conflicts and guarantee social and labour peace" in the sector.

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