The artisanal fishermen of Arica, represented by the Union of Artisanal Crew of the Region, denounce “bad practice” of the industry in the north to avoid a protection appeal procedure presented against the entrance of industrial vessels into artisanal protected zones, which some companies perform in the northern zone of Chile.
According to the Union, “artisanal leaders” would have been “captured” for them to sign letters of support, which were filed on the same day and time at the Court of Appeals of Valparaiso.
“It seems that despite the corruption scandals investigated by the Court, there are still industrialists in the north who do not learn and maintain bad practice in the country,” said Jose Martinez, president of the entity. He added: “It is strange that artisanal leaders from three regions have coordinated in such a way that they sent letters with similarities of content to the Court of Appeals of Valparaiso, in addition to delivering them on the same day and at the same time.”
The Union explained that the Fisheries Zonal Association in the area and the Undersecretariat of Fisheries (SUBPESCA) a few months ago authorised the entry of industrial vessels for fishing in the five miles of artisanal protection. To avoid this measure, a fisherman filed a protection action that is being processed.
However, in April, the Union of Independent Fishermen of Morro of Iquique, FEBUPESCA, the Fishermen’s Union of Antofagasta Bellavista and the Regional Federation of Artisanal Fishermen and Shellfish Collectors of the XV Regional Arica and Parinacota, sent letters to the Court of Appeals of Valparaiso rejecting the appeal, arguing that for 20 years artisanal fishermen and industrialists have lived without problems in the area. The four letters were entered on the same page, day and time, on April 6.
“It is at least derisory, since we, the fishermen in the north, are facing poverty. For years we have experienced the industrial monopoly, which tells us how much our fishing is worth and what is fished in the region,” pointed out Guido Rojas, secretary of the entity denouncing the fact.
Lastly, the leaders recalled that there is a programmatic commitment by President Michelle Bachelet, who gave her word so that during her mandate the five miles of artisanal protection would extend to the whole country, as well as the progressive elimination of trawling, the only system used by the industry in the regions where industrial vessels enter the artisanal protected areas.
“This single commitment should prevent any attempt by the industry, Zonal Fishing and even SUBPESCA to authorize the entrance of industrial vessels into artisanal protected areas anywhere in the country,” the Union said.
“What the industry does with its ships is to take away fishing from us, a resource that is scarce today and needs to be taken care of. They won with the quotas that they received for free through Longueira Act and now they prevent us from working quietly,” said the complainants.
1995 – 2017 Fish Info & Services Co.Ltd