Chilean fisheries law privatizes 92% of quota

A new Chilean fishing law gives four large-scale private fisheries control of 92 percent of Chile’s marine resources — much to the consternation of small-scale, artisanal fisherman along the country’s expansive coastline.

Passed by Chile’s Legislature on 18 December, the law sets quotas for fishing along Chile’s 2,600-mile coastline for the next 20 years. The four largest fisheries have been allotted a combined 92 percent of this quota.

The quotas are hailed by some as a step toward sustainability—over-fishing has been a rampant problem in the area and has decimated horse mackerel populations. The quotas are a double-edged sword, however.

While quotas are low enough to possibly prevent over-fishing (if properly enforced and set with scientific objectivity), the stipulations nonetheless give preference for licensing to the four big fisheries over artisanal fishermen. The law also requires the use of GPS and the licensing of all boats no matter the size—requirements difficult for small-scale fishermen to afford.

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