Chile’s Undersecretariat of Fisheries and the European Union (EU) presented a proposal for a new artisanal fishing development policy that will govern over the next ten years. The document was issued by the Undersecretariat in the framework of cooperation with the EU, which coordinates the International Cooperation Agency of Chile-AGCI.
The initiative came from the Chilean Government’s interest in devising the promotion and development of artisanal fisheries as a strategic priority, explained Undersecretary Pablo Galilea on submitting the results of the Study for the Determination of a Proposal of a Public Policy for Artisanal Fishery Production Development, along with the EU Delegation Councilor in Chile, Nicola Ardito.
“It is very important to note that this proposal stems mainly from the artisanal fishermen themselves, who participated in 17 regional workshops to gather the main needs of the sector,” said Galilea.
He added: “From this information the policy governing the artisanal sector over the next ten years will arise, beginning the work in 2013 with the release of the results among artisanal fishermen and regional governments across the country.”
The Study was carried out for 15 months and was performed by the Catholic University of Valparaiso together with MYR consultancy, from Spain.
During the investigation 17 workshops were conducted in 12 regions of Chile. About 190 artisanal fishermen and industry representatives met to collect the main problems and strengths in the area of productive development.
Furthermore, MYR consultancy gathered the major European experiences in the field, which could contribute to the Chilean reality.
Ardito emphasized the importance of the European added value to the studies led by the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and said that these experiences “can guide the Chilean sector authorities to set a suitable framework for action.”
For example, the need to improve product trade and to add further value has been noted, and that is one of the main issues we have been working on through a promotional campaign for human consumption that we will perform in collaboration with Elige Vivir Sano’ (Choose a Healthy Life) Programme, Galilea pointed out.
During the study a proposal emerged for a policy based on four pillars:
Increasing growth without compromising the sustainability of the environment and the resources;
Ensuring environmental sustainability without compromising fishermen’s welfare;
Promoting social equity without compromising socioeconomic efficiency and governance;
Strengthening the institutions to facilitate economic growth of artisanal fisheries, environmental sustainability and governance.
According to the Undersecretariat, from these pillars concrete actions should emerge in programmes and initiatives, which will address the needs of the industry for its future development.
The president of the National Federation of Fishermen of Chile (Conapach), Zoila Bustamante, stressed the importance of releasing the presented work in the different regions, since it is a good reflection of the situation in Chile. “We are still far from the European situation that was presented today,” she stated.
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