Mackerel fisheries. (Photo: Asipes)

Environmental groups oppose Fisheries Act

CHILE
Friday, November 02, 2012, 00:00 (GMT + 9)

Several environmental organizations -- Greenpeace, Ecoceanos and Terram Foundation -- expressed opposition to the fact that the Senate approves the Fisheries Bill because they consider that it grants the fishery resources to trans-national companies in perpetuity.

According to Greenpeace political adviser, Elizabeth Soto, it is necessary for a bill of this kind to be revised over time and with the necessary thoroughness, which will be in force for about 10 years.

"It will involve profound changes in various aspects of the fisheries, especially the recovery of resources, with significant long-term socio-economic implications," added Soto.

While Flavia Liberona, the executive director of Terram Foundation, stated "the current situation is similar to what happened in the last stage of the processing of the bill on environmental institutions, at the end of President Michelle Bachelet’s administration."

"At the time what was chosen was to reach a political agreement that prevented a thorough discussion on the bill indications," Liberona added.

Besides, he said, "and a law was passed in haste, which contributed to its number of defects, as it has been proven over time," reported Prensa Latina.

For the executive director of the Foundation it is critical to the economy minister, Pablo Longueira, to consider there is no urgency in passing the law and to give room to the full discussion of the bill indications.

Meanwhile, the Executive expects the Act to ensure the sustainability of the resources, the access to fishing activity, its regulations and monitoring.

In addition, the National Federation of Artisanal Fishermen pointed out the bill dismisses the significance of trawling and the respect for the five nautical miles for artisanal fishing.

Furthermore, it benefits four big private consortia, added the Confederation which represents some 120,000 fishermen.

Finally, the director of the organization Ecoceanos, Juan Carlos Cardenas, denounced the way the negotiation of the document was taking place in the Senate.

"This is a further sign that the procedure of the proposed new Fisheries Act is flawed and that the decision has been made binomially among the sectors involved in the Agreement, big fishing businesses and the right party," he clarified.

Related article:

- The Executive enters 60 items to Fishing Bill

By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com

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