The artisanal sector catching jumbo flying squid (Dosidicus gigas) in the regions of Coquimbo, Valparaíso and Biobío has warned that before 21 May demonstrations will be held.
Fishermen and fishing leaders claim that 100 per cent of this cephalopod fishing activity must be performed “by the artisanal fishery sector” and that it must be legislated so that it is exclusively carried out with jiggers and handline.
The members of the sector announced that in a few days they will meet to set the dates of the first nationwide protests.
The group complains that “the oversupply caused by the industry, which in three months fished the entire 20 per cent that is rightful” has unbalanced the market and harmed thousands of workers.
According to Jorge Ambrosetti, leader of San Antonio, 65 per cent of jumbo flying squid fishermen in this area has already stopped fishing. “In three months, the industry managed to cover the market, driving down prices and causing unemployment,” it stressed.
In his opinion, 20 per cent of the quota currently owned by the industrial fishing sector “should be staged throughout time, limiting its capture month after month”.
“This is an effective solution, but we will fight to get 100 per cent of the quota and exclusively using jiggers and handline,” he added.
Pascual Aguilera, head of the Coquimbo Region, said that in his area the resource status is experiencing the same problems.
“In a historic and critical moment for artisanal fisheries, jumbo flying squid was our salvation and now the industry, which saw it as a plague, has this species among its targets. We will fight for legislation that will ensure the sustainability of this product and that means the quota must be 100 per cent for the artisanal sector,” pointed out the leader.
On the other hand, David Castro, leader of the Bio Bio Region, stressed that “the jumbo flying squid is a country issue and not from a particular region,” and regretted that despite discussions with the industry, there have not been a negotiation with them.
Meanwhile, Eduardo Quiroz, head of Caleta Portales of Valparaiso Region, said that “the serious problem” for jumbo flying squid is its marketing.
“For many years, artisanal fishermen have kept 100 per cent control of jumbo flying squid capture. Now that the industry already has a 20 per cent, conflicts have emerged in artisanal fisheries, which result in unemployment,” he highlighted.
He explained that the complaints are being planned to warn the government to “take the bull by the horns” instead of only implementing restrictive measures to the sector. They also demand the fulfillment of the promises made by President Michelle Bachelet and the review of the Fisheries Act.
Recently, a group of workers in the fishing industry dedicated to the capture of the jumbo flying squid ensured that there is still an overabundance of this cephalopod in the Bio Bio region where they operate, but they had to stop fishing for completing their quota.
Therefore, industrial fishermen request that before July, the resource status must be investigated to determine the 2016 quota.
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