FIPA Project: Subpesca implements ecosystemic approach in southern sardine fishery in Los Lagos
November 16th, 2018
Blue fish capture is carried out, entirety, by an artisanal purse seine fleet, at the region’s interior waters.
the purpose of an international methodological workshop held in Valparaíso was to show foreign and national researchers Subpesca (FIPA) project developed by Fisheries and Aquaculture Research Fund, focused on the implementation of an ecosystemic approach in the southern sardine fishery of Los Lagos Region inland waters “.
The meeting was conducted by the Subsecretary of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Subpesca), alltogether with the Oceanographic Research Center of the University of Concepción.
Sergio Neira, Oceanographic Research Center of Universidad de Concepción researcher , explained that “in this project we are evaluating the situation in which we are dealing with countries with a greater fishing tradition and that are more advanced in this subject, to see also in what position we are in and how we move forward in the short and long term to apply the ecosystemic approach in Chilean fisheries. ”
One of the speakers, Dr. Mimi Lam, researcher at the Institute for Oceans and Fisheries of the University of British Columbia, said: “There are very committed people in the workshop, which is very exciting for me, because there are representatives from different sectors interested in the ecosystem approach in fisheries. The current challenge is implementation, going from theory to practice. ”
“Through this approach application we will be able to better understand what is happening in the different ecosystems and ensure the development of fishing activities,” said Lam.
In turn, Carlos Montenegro, IFOP fisheries evaluation department head, expressed his satisfaction regarding the realization of these instances, indicating that also as an institute they are developing research lines under ecosystemic approach: “All Chilean institutions are realizing the importance of this vision in fisheries and aquaculture “.
Jurgen Betzhold, Los Lagos Fisheries and Aquaculture zone director and president of the southern sardine management committee, said that the workshop “is very relevant for the Undersecretariat, since it is progressing in a concrete way, from FIPA project, in incorporating the ecosystemic approach mandated by the latest modification of the Fisheries Act to the southern sardine fishery “.
Also, Víctor Espejo, Subpesca professional and member of management committee for this species, said that “this research work was designed three years ago and intends to organize all the efforts that are being made, providing a route for the future of fishery and its approach” .
The southern sardine is a blue fish with high nutritional value. Resource capture is carried out, entirety, by an artisanal purse seine fleet, in inland waters of the Los Lagos Region.