A new management measure has made it possible in the last time to reduce the illegal activity of the 'super collectors'. (Photo: Stock File)

Kelp collection measure proves effective

CHILE
Friday, October 13, 2017, 01:50 (GMT + 9)

The Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture (SUBPESCA) described as positive the assessment of the new management measure proposed by the Committee of Kelp Management of the Tarapacá Region, which limits the collection of the resource and delivery of exploitation criteria to the users of the north of the country.

According to SUBPESCA, this proposal has made it possible in the last time to reduce the illegal activity of the 'super collectors', the resource barring and laundering, which has jeopardized its conservation and sustainability.

The Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture of the regions Arica and Parinacota, Antofagasta and Tarapacá, Marco Soto, explained that through this measure it has been possible to set a limit to naturally stranded algae harvesting along with a collection criterion.

Carlos Soto (second left), together with fishermen of the Regional Program of productive development for the fishing sector. (Photo: Subpesca)

"This work has been long-lasting and dates back to 2013, when the plan was approved and since then a series of measures have been established to develop the fishery in an orderly and sustainable way, such as the implementation of a collection prohibition for the resource, banning barring and diving, closure of access, payroll of participants, collection limit and criteria," said Soto.

"A process that has always had the support of all the members of the committee, who are focused on maintaining the monitoring of the indicators and progressing in initiatives for algae restocking and farming," he added.

José García, a representative of shellfish divers in the area, acknowledged that they initially had some doubts about this kelp management plan but said that the concrete results obtained indicate that "it has worked very well, improving the establishment of the catch criterion of three tonnes per person per month, reducing the illegal ones".

The Kelp Management Committee is made up of SUBPESCA fishing and aquaculture zone directorate, which presides it, together with artisanal fishermen, kelp collectors, shellfish divers, small and large process plants, marketers, as well as the Maritime Government , the Environment Secretariat, Economy Secretariat, SERNAPESCA and Regional Government.

editorial@seafood.media
www.seafood.media

Print