After a long work, the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Subpesca), together with the Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP), defined the project portfolio for 2016. For this period, the budget was adjusted by 3.8 per cent, increasing from CLP 15,549 million (USD 21.7 million) in the previous year to CLP 16,140 million (USD 22.5 million) for this year.
IFOP is the agency in charge of the ongoing research that Subpesca requires to adopt well-founded fishing regulation measures. These studies are contracted by the Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism, but defined and financed by Subpesca.
The execution of 41 projects to gather biological, economic and monitoring information of the main national fisheries, as well as for plague control and health studies for aquaculture has been stipulated for 2016.
Undersecretary of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Paolo Trejo, stressed the importance of having the necessary research so that Scientific and Technical Committees can carry out their work.
“Follow-up studies carried out by IFOP are vital to the regulatory work performed by the institution,” he said, adding, “This year the definition was made through collaborative work by teams from both institutions to determine the best orientations, so as to focus the investigation.”
For his part, IFOP executive director, Leonardo Nuñez, said the programme develops projects for biomass study, the monitoring of biological-fishing indicators and the assessment of the state of Chile’s main fishery resources. Meanwhile, in the field of aquaculture it has two main lines: the oceanographic conditions where the activity is developed and sanitary improvement.
“It is important to note that all data generated by this programme is translated into technical reports, which are subject to peer review before final destination, which is Subpesca,” Nuñez added.
These projects are only part of the research funded by Subpesca. The other body in charge of this area is the Fisheries and Aquaculture Research Fund (IFAP), in addition to the studies carried out directly by Subpesca.
1995 – 2016 Fish Info & Services Co.Ltd