The meeting was attended by representatives of the Plant Workers, Fesip; Patterns; Bikers; Fence and Drag crew from all over the country

Minister of Economy vows to mull postponing giant squid law

CHILE
Sunday, July 14, 2019, 01:30 (GMT + 9)

Minister of Economy Juan Andrés Fontaine met yesterday with representatives of industrial fishing workers and artisanal purse seine fishermen from the whole country. Both sectors, which represent between 45,000 and 50,000 fishing workers, are asking the government to sponsor a parliamentary initiative to postpone the entry into force of the Giant Squid (Jibia) Law for 24 months.

The leaders claim that this law will strongly affect the historic catches of jibia or giant squid (Dosidicus gigas) in Chile if it begins to be applied on August 17, meaning that the participation of Chile in the international scenario - exports - will be significantly reduced . The reason is that soon the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization will distribute quotas by country, based on their fishing history. The Giant Squid Law leaves the capture of this cephalopod in the hands of fishermen using jiggers, who can not fish neither during a whole month or every month due to climatic conditions or the distance from the coasts where the resource occurs.

In the street they showed with allusive signs on the outskirts of the Ministry of Economy. Leaders like Mariano Villa, Juan Carlos Gonzalez, Eric Riffo, Hugo Roa, Ricardo Flores, Juana Silva and others.

The industrial workers also requested that the possibility of withdrawing the draft Short Law be analyzed and, if it goes forward, that the Social Platform be supported to mitigate the imminent unemployment.

According to the fishing leaders, Minister Fontaine listened carefully to them and assured that he understood the urgency of the petition regarding the Giant Squid Law and would start working on it. He promised to review, among other aspects, those indicated by the leaders: that the regulations would cause damage to the country's assets and unemployment, and woud have a negative impact on the continuity of formal work.

The minister acknowledged and valued the high representation of the leaders who attended the meeting and vowed to deliver his response as soon as possible.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Crew Federation of Chile (Fetrinech), Conapesca Chile, Fesip, Agetremar, Agopesi, A.G. Artisan skippers from the VIII Region, the Ancud Fishing Association, A.G Altamar, Fepamar VIII Region, the Crustaceans, Fishing engineers and Crew unions, among others.

They were accompanied by deputy Juan Francisco Undurraga, who signed the motion, and deputy Sergio Bodabilla, who arranged for the minister to receive industrial and artisanal fishermen and plant workers.

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