In an interview with Radio Portales, Camilo Torres, head of the Department of Economics and Statistics at the Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP), highlighted the importance of integrating socioeconomic and statistical approaches into decision-making for Chile’s fisheries and aquaculture sector, with the goal of ensuring both biological sustainability and social equity within coastal communities.
Torres addressed the severe impacts of the El Niño phenomenon, noting that the displacement of pelagic species—such as jack mackerel and anchoveta—has led to a nearly 50% drop in fishmeal production, increased operating costs due to higher fuel consumption, and significant economic and job losses, particularly in the northern macro-zone.
Finally, he outlined the four strategic pillars that guide the department’s work: a comprehensive socioeconomic perspective, international cooperation with Pacific Alliance nations, the consolidation of continuous economic monitoring, and the strengthening of qualitative research and econometric modeling to optimize public policy within the sector.