Chilean artisanal fishermen are demanding immediate action from the government to address what they call an unfair distribution of fishing quotas, especially for horse mackerel. During a crucial session of the Senate’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Commission on Wednesday, leaders of the artisanal fishing sector urged lawmakers to prioritize the Fractionation Bill, which they believe would provide a more equitable solution.
Pascual Aguilera, spokesperson for CORANOR and the National Federation for the Protection of Artisanal fishing, emphasized the urgency of the situation, calling for an “immediate debate” on the bill. He argued that this expedited process would allow for a resolution within six days, surpassing the 15-day timeframe allotted by the current emergency declaration.
Rejecting the Dynamic Fraction
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Aguilera also urged senators to reject the dynamic section of the horse mackerel quota allocation, a provision approved by the Chamber of Deputies that has sparked controversy in the Antofagasta region. “The sector for horse mackerel needs to be fixed, because the artisanal sector cannot compete with the industrial sector,” Aguilera stated, advocating for a fixed 30% allocation for artisanal fishermen.
Currently, the industrial sector holds a dominant 90% share of the horse mackerel quota, leaving only 10% for artisanal fishermen. Aguilera criticized this distribution as unsustainable and pointed out the industry’s opposition to increasing Chile’s catch quota in the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Organization (ORP) as “ununderstandable,” arguing that such an increase would benefit both sectors.
Widespread Support for Change
Other prominent figures in the artisanal fishing sector echoed Aguilera’s call for reform. Antonio Aranis,representing AG Pelágicos Araucanía,highlighted the widespread support for the Fractionation Bill across the industry. Marcos Ide, from CONFEPACH, urged senators to back the legislation, while José Montt, from the Macrozona Sur Austral Fishing SMEs Group, stressed the need for increased fractionation in the southern region, noting that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) struggle to secure sufficient raw materials to reach national and international markets.
Tension in Antofagasta
As the Senate session unfolded, tensions flared in the Antofagasta region between artisanal fishermen and maritime authorities. The conflict arose after SERNAPESCA, the Chilean fisheries agency, seized horse mackerel from artisanal fishermen due to a lack of fishing quotas.hernán Cortés, president of CODEPP and spokesperson for the National Federation for the Protection of Artisanal Fishing, emphasized the urgent need for a new quota allocation system that would increase the share for artisanal fishing.
“It is indeed unsustainable that we only have 10% of the horse mackerel allocated by the Longueira Law. We need to increase the quota to 35% to ensure the sustainability of our operations,” Cortés said.
The incident in Antofagasta underscored the growing pressure on the government to address the concerns of artisanal fishermen, who feel marginalized by the current system.
A Call for Fairness
The Senate session highlighted the urgent need for reform in Chile’s fishing industry. Artisanal fishermen are demanding a fairer distribution of quotas, arguing that the current system is unsustainable and threatens their livelihoods. With the conflict in Antofagasta serving as a stark reminder of the stakes involved, the push for a more equitable Fractionation Law is gaining momentum.
Chilean authorities have apprehended a prominent figure in the country’s political landscape, former Minister of the Interior Rodrigo Delgado, on charges of tax evasion. The arrest, which took place on Tuesday, sent shockwaves through the Chilean political scene.
Delgado, who served as Minister of the Interior under former President Sebastián Piñera, is accused of failing to declare income earned from consulting services provided to private companies. The alleged evasion is estimated to amount to millions of Chilean pesos.
“We are committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that everyone, irrespective of their position, is held accountable for their actions,” stated a spokesperson for the Chilean Public Prosecutor’s Office. ”This examination is ongoing, and we will pursue all legal avenues to bring those responsible to justice.”
Delgado has vehemently denied the allegations, asserting that he has always acted with transparency and integrity. “I am confident that the truth will prevail,” he declared in a statement released to the media. ”I am cooperating fully with the authorities and am prepared to defend myself against thes baseless accusations.”
The arrest of Delgado marks a notable progress in Chile’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption and strengthen its institutions. The case is expected to be closely watched by both domestic and international observers.
The outcome of the investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings could have far-reaching implications for Chilean politics. The case highlights the importance of accountability and the rule of law in a democratic society.
## Chile’s Fleets Clash: Artisanal Fishermen Demand Quota Reform in Urgent Senate Session
**World Today News** – Tensions are mounting in Chile as artisanal fishermen staged a passionate plea for immediate action on fishing quotas during a crucial Senate session Wednesday. The focus: securing a fairer share of the horse mackerel catch, a species vital to their livelihoods.
“We need an immediate debate on the Fractionation Bill,” declared Pascual Aguilera, spokesperson for CORANOR and the National Federation for the Protection of Artisanal Fishing. Aguilera stressed the urgency of the situation, advocating for a six-day expedited process to ensure swift resolution within the existing emergency declaration timeframe.
**Calling for Equity in a David vs. Goliath Struggle:**
At the heart of the conflict lies the stark imbalance in quota allocation for horse mackerel, with the industrial sector wielding a commanding 90% share, leaving artesanal fishermen with a meager 10%. This disparity, Aguilera argued, is simply unsustainable.
“The artisanal sector cannot compete with the industrial sector,” Aguilera asserted, urging senators to reject the controversial “dynamic fraction” element recently approved by the Chamber of Deputies. While the “dynamic fraction” allows for adjustments based on catch data, Aguilera championed a fixed 30% allocation for artisanal fishermen, emphasizing the sector’s need for stability and security.
Aguilera further criticized the industrial sector’s resistance to increasing Chile’s catch quota in the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Association (ORP). He argued that such an increase
**A United Front Demanding Change:**
Aguilera’s call for reform resonated throughout the artisanal fishing community. Prominent figures like Antonio Aranis (AG Pelágicos Araucanía), marcos Ide (CONFEPACH), and José Montt (Macrozona Sur Austral Fishing SMEs Group) all echoed the need for a fairer quota system.
Montt highlighted the specific challenges faced by SMEs in the south, emphasizing their struggle to secure sufficient raw materials to reach national and international markets.
**Tensions Boil Over in Antofagasta:**
As senators deliberated in Santiago, tensions erupted in the Antofagasta region. Armed with fishing nets and a resolute spirit, artisanal fishermen faced off against maritime authorities. The flashpoint: a seizure of horse mackerel by SERNAPESCA, Chile’s fisheries agency, citing a lack of fishing quotas.
Hernán Cortés, president of CODEPP and spokesperson for the National Federation for the Protection of Artisanal Fishing, articulated the growing frustration of the fishing community. “It is indeed unsustainable that we only have 10% of the horse mackerel allocated by the Longueira Law. We need to increase the quota to 35% to ensure the sustainability of our operations,” Cortés stated.
**A Plea for Sustainability and Decision:**
The artisanal fishermen’s message is clear: they need a system that ensures their survival, recognizing their crucial role in Chile’s fishing industry and coastal communities. As the Senate session progresses, the world watches to see if lawmakers will heed their call and deliver a solution that balances the needs of all stakeholders while safeguarding the nation’s valuable marine resources.
