In the shadows of power, public office is used as a mere vehicle for personal enrichment through the manipulation of state contracting

Opinion Article: Overpricing, conflict of interest and corruption in the sector (Note 1/4)

ARGENTINA
Saturday, January 10, 2026, 00:00 (GMT + 9)

In the fishing activity, it is difficult to determine where the State begins and where it ends. Perhaps it is because of the fact that it is a State resource leased to third parties or because between the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and the Federal Fisheries Council—even if Law 24,922 says so—it is not clear who sets the fishing policy and who sets the research, and it seems they lack the determination or capacity to manage the activity.

It could be due to a matter of ineptitude; but, leaving in the hands of a few the awarding and approval of the tender for research vessels in favor of a Spanish Shipyard—against all specialized opinions—for 161 million dollars, damaging the public treasury and violating (since these are contributions for construction made by the State) Art. 15 of Law 27,418 (of which I am co-author together with Fabián Lugarini for the late Senator Pino Solanas) and also Law 27,437 of “Compre Argentino” (Buy Argentine), transferring scarce economic resources of Argentines abroad and, furthermore, and very importantly, ignoring the naval industrial capacities of Argentina. A despicable act that the Justice system should investigate to determine if the persons involved (whom we will reveal in successive articles) committed crimes against the public administration.

Even if corruption had not been proven in the awarding process (a matter aired); the damage to sovereignty, the national economy, technological development, and the generation of labor is extremely serious. It is a crime of public action when—as experts state—the country has the capacity to build vessels, even if it might resort to foreign components, as other industries like the automotive industry also do.

Furthermore, how does Argentina resort to shipyards in Spain, when Galician vessels plunder Argentine migratory resources on the high seas and in the Argentine waters of the Malvinas? And, how is that decision left in the hands of a researcher and advisors of doubtful impartiality? Is it ineptitude or other reasons to justify such stupidity? Lack of intelligence or corruption?

For years we had this issue on file and, erroneously, we rested on the complaints timely made by experts, several directors of national shipyards, and sector unions; but everything seems to remain the same, with endogamic ties and a leadership at INIDEP where the chosen official—like Lic. Gonzalo Bacigalupo today—fails to comply with Art. 4 of Law 21,673 or, when it was in the hands of a researcher—as happened in the years 2015/6—proved incapable of making a comprehensive analysis when promoting the construction of vessels for INIDEP; but of course—for some reason—those who set policy were also absent; for example, Juan A. López Casorla, who was already a member of the Federal Fisheries Council in those years and, today being Undersecretary of Fisheries, appointed Otto Christian Wöhler as Director of Research; who, at that time as Director of INIDEP, gleefully recommended the construction in Spain of the research vessels “Victor Angelescu” and “Mar Argentino,” harming the entire national fishing and naval industry that contributes to the payment of their salaries from 1980 to date.

Everything has its limit and the trigger was the note signed by a consultancy firm, without legal status and with the trade name “Resilience,” published in Revista Puerto last 12/5/2025, where it refers to a “double standard regarding IUU fishing” of the European Union. A subject on which we agree, because days before we had written (Perfil, 11/27/25) referring to the fact that Vigo is the main European port for the discharge of illegal fishing products of Argentine species. Now, that this consultancy opines on the matter and speaks of a “double standard” went beyond what one can tolerate.

In the first place, we will say that the aforementioned “Resilience” could have some link with the Director of Research Otto Christian Wöhler; since many officials imagine a structure of this type for their retirement to take advantage of the training and improvement they received for free from the State; but no, the fact is that his children Otto Axel and Sofía Irina are part of it, and it is very difficult not to fall into incompatibilities or conflicts of interest between public and private activity in these cases.

It caught our attention that the aforementioned young Otto Axel and Sofía Irina Wöhler did not sign the cited note instead of “Resilience,” since they are the owners of the brand. Both are professionals with limited backgrounds in environmental tasks; neither of them in the field of Environmental Impact Studies (EsIA), nor in fisheries. 40/50 years ago it was very common for companies to hire personnel without experience, which they subsequently acquired in the companies; but the situation for years has required the development of a strategy or the solution of a problem “now,” and these cannot wait for a learning process that is also endogamic. Therefore, it is surprising that in the face of such a chronic crisis facing the fishing industry, for some rare reason, three important Fisheries Chambers (CAPA, CEPA, CAPECA) require “the services” of two inexperienced people to represent them and defend their interests in a business that invoices two billion dollars annually and depends on the macroeconomy, the international market, national and provincial governments and their officials, biology, climatology, capture, withholdings, taxes, duties and fees, services, production, industry, and of course, labor where a dozen unions intervene. It is enough to see their income and the tasks they perform, and that in their short professional life, they only prepared two reports, one of them on seismic prospecting for the Chamber of Argentine Fishing and Freezer Vessel Owners (CAPECA). Although it is “common knowledge” in port circles that both reports received a “little help” from their father Otto Christian. But that does not speak ill of the hired ones; it speaks ill of the Business Chambers that are usually fair and permanent claimants before the governments of the day.

On one hand, the Chamber of Argentine Jigger Owners (CAPA) hired Sofía Irina Wöhler (Monotax payer, Cat. C, 30 years old; UNICEN, 2021); not as an expert in environmental management—the diploma does not presume skill—but as an administrative employee; who, in her only published work (UNICEN, 9/27/2021) wrote: «in one of the main economic activities developed in fishing (…) the capture includes species and/or sizes of non-commercial fish that are generally discarded overboard, but also birds, mammals, and sea turtles (…) attracted by the waste and discards generated (…) there is deficient communication between businessmen and captains (…) difficulties on the part of businessmen to control what happens on the ship (…) need to increase control procedures (…) the presence of observers is required…» (sic) mentioning that fishing businessmen commit several practices prohibited in Fisheries Law 24,922. This could popularly be called: “the fish dies by its mouth” or “sleeping with the enemy.” Her opinions do the sector a disservice, and then she represents them.

Sofía Irina’s presentation in Public Hearing No. 1/24 did not go unnoticed (from which Otto Axel Wöhler was absent) where she presented herself as the founder of “Resilience” and environmental advisor and representative of CAPECA, referring critically to the possible effects of seismic explorations on hoki, southern blue whiting, and Patagonian toothfish (coincidentally, the species of her father Otto Christian’s specialty); but omitting numerous species fished in the region and in Malvinas, such as common hake, southern hake, kingclip, cod, rockcods, rays, Illex squid, and Loligo squid. Especially these last two—due to their economic and biological importance—as it is internationally proven in in situ studies that they are affected by seismic explorations. It is notable that representing a Fisheries Chamber, she did not raise other very important observations to the Environmental Impact Studies carried out by Shell and Equinor. For example, the lack of studies in the area and the absence of economic compensation, which are already normal practice in Norwegian Law. In addition to establishing the approvals in another body and not in the central administration of INIDEP. It was a presentation of generalities without depth that should have been destined for the review of the “sketched” EsIAs and ensuring the sustainability of a resource that is exploited “prior” to hydrocarbons, a very important issue in the matter.

For his part, the young lawyer Otto Axel Wöhler (Monotax payer, Cat. D, 32 years old, graduated in 2019) provides his legal services in a recognized fishing company from Mar del Plata and, probably for that reason, a short time ago, was appointed President of the Council of Argentine Fishing Companies (CEPA) and, then—probably also—it might not be politically correct to question the Spanish businessmen who fish in Argentine waters or, well, because it would be difficult to separate his role as a lawyer, president of a fishing chamber, and environmental consultant from his direct link with the National Director of Research of INIDEP Otto Christian Wöhler; since it is logical to assume that the latter must distance himself from the political-union-business positions that clash with his official competence to ensure the sustainability of resources. The law of incompatibilities requires neutrality from those who work in public offices.

Lastly, the appointment of Otto Axel at CEPA is astonishing. Going from a president of the specific weight of Oscar Ángel Fortunato (d. 2025) to an unknown lawyer. Although “the fat man” was not an “Angel” of my devotion, he was very solvent in fishing matters; he held the most important positions in public and private activity in the specialty and was a deep connoisseur of fishing management. I repeatedly opposed his fishing policies; but in the subject, he was an expert with the capacity to solidly represent the sector. The appointment of Otto Axel shows that real power no longer passes through the Chambers—or can anyone imagine Tony Solimeno or anyone else, etc., listening attentively to the fishing strategy of Otto Axel?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) says: «Otto Cristian Wöhler and Otto Axel Wöhler are not the same person, but they operate in interconnected circles». What is common knowledge, the AI itself makes its own. It also clarifies: «There are potential ethical risks: Public officials like Otto Christian Wöhler are subject to the Public Ethics Law (No. 25,188) and the Conflict of Interest Law (No. 25,964), which prohibit private activities that interfere with public duties, especially if they involve family members or generate favoritism and, furthermore, (it gives the example of) Resilience advises CAPECA which finances campaigns for INIDEP or supplying privileged information to his son, potentially violating public confidentiality. The collaborations could be interpreted as family promotion, especially if INIDEP validates conclusions without open competition. And it concludes, there is a potential conflict of interest. The risk lies in the perception of family favoritism that could escalate into an Anti-Corruption Office (OA) investigation if reported» (sic).

It is worth taking into account that “Resilience” in its Note does not specify which Illegal Fishing and/or IUU Fishing in the area adjacent to the EEZ it refers to; attributing it generically to “European countries” and omitting illegal fishing in Malvinas; furthermore, it is known that in the Southwest Atlantic, the only Europeans who fish are Spaniards. FAO and the General Audit Office of the Nation have said that 30% of catches are discarded and, let’s say it more clearly—although it would look bad to do it from CEPA—that would also include the national fleet. The euphemism of IUU fishing is nothing other than ILLEGAL FISHING. As are discarding (Art. 21 Law 24,922); substitution or under-reporting in landings—among other illegal practices.

Referencing the opinion of foreign NGOs—as indicated by the Wöhler’s note—deserves an opinion. The motivation of Argentines in environmental issues should not only be based on foreign NGOs; many of which are funded by geopolitically interested third countries (the WCS Case in “Blue Hole”).

Our modest Center (CESPEL) has been denouncing illegal foreign fishing in the South Atlantic permanently and continuously since 1989; but illegal fishing did not start yesterday; from the 60s and from 78 to 90 the Soviet fleet and especially the Polish fleet fished illegally. This belief that foreign opinion, services, and goods are better is a colonized gaze that could lead to wrong decisions or acts of corruption. Therefore, we will analyze the case of the construction of research vessels for the National Institute for Fisheries Research and Development (INIDEP) in Spain.

Clarin 'solicitada' April 21, 1989

Doctor of Biological Sciences Otto Cristian Wöhler—in the opinion of several prominent figures—would have been primarily responsible for the construction of research vessels in Spain (without his approval it would not have been possible), discarding the option of greater benefit for Argentina to build them in a national public or private shipyard or associated. This official, for whom all Argentines have paid his salary since 1980, would have decided that all Argentines pay 35 million USD to a Spanish shipyard and we would have had to pay 161 million USD if the construction of a third Ice-Class vessel under study since 2019 had not been deactivated. Wöhler from 1980 to date has occupied institutional policy positions and actively participated in governments from populist to libertarian as at present. Principal researcher; from 2004 to 2006 he was interim Director of INIDEP; from 2006 to 2009 Director of Research; in charge of the INIDEP Office from 2009 to 2012; Director of Research from 2012 to 2015; being promoted to Director of INIDEP in 2015 (period of the awarding of the vessel Angelescu) to 2018; the year in which he was removed from the post and returned to his activity as Principal Researcher until 2024; to be again appointed Director of Research of INIDEP (5/13/24 Res. 86/24) to date. A sought-after official.

He was not a member of the Federal Fisheries Council (CFP), but participated in various commissions linked to political decisions, including quotas and regulations. This multifaceted agent who, despite being a public official—according to documented information—maintained a private employment relationship and a commercial partnership.

In synthesis, he fulfilled political-administrative positions in the governments of Néstor Kirchner, Cristina Fernández, Mauricio Macri, and Javier Milei; counting for his current appointment with the support of the Undersecretary of Fisheries López Cazorla. Political flexibility and well-oiled contacts with the press.

Additionally, Wöhler managed the agreement with the Coast Guard (Prefectura) to operate the research vessels instead of the civilian crew (lawsuit in the Court, with two rulings in favor of the SiMaPe crew members); denaturing the police function, which must be in the prevention and combat of crime and, at the same time, incorporating into a civilian research environment security personnel whose presence alone violates Art. 13 of Law 24,922 which does not allow airing to third parties information that must be reserved for INIDEP authorities until its review and approval.

We will go deeper in the next note (2/4) into the actors involved in the construction of research vessels in Spain. The role of Otto Christian Wöhler and another dozen actors in the awarding and contracting of the research vessels “Víctor Angelescu” and “Mar Argentino” built in Armón (Vigo) and in the failed management to build a third oceanographic vessel with Ice-Class capacity.

Expert in South Atlantic and Fishing.

Former Secretary of State.

President of the Center for Latin American Fishing Studies (CESPEL)

President of the Agustina Lerena Foundation    www.cesarlerena.com    .ar

This article represents the opinion of the signatory. The opinion articles published do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of this medium. Fish Info & Services is an independent medium, open to the opinions of its readers. If you wish to publish, contact us at [email protected]

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