Giant squid, Dosidicus gigas. (Photo: Stock File)

Bill regulating giant squid fishery goes to Senate

CHILE
Wednesday, July 04, 2018, 21:50 (GMT + 9)

The Chamber of Deputies yesterday approved the bill seeking to manage the giant squid and presenting among its goals the need to ensure a sustainable treatment of this fishing resource and sent it to the second legislative procedure.

The initiative, which had already been approved in general by the Chamber on May 17, defines that the giant squid (Dosidicus gigas) can only be caught using a jigger and/or hand line as a gear and/or fishing tackle, being prohibited any other type.

In addition, the initiative establishes that shipowners who violate this regulation will be sanctioned with a fine of 500 monthly tax units (UTM) and the confiscation of hydrobiological species and/or products derived from them.

In yesterday's session, two proposals regarding the entry into force of the law presented on May 17 were discarded, and a new approach was approved, establishing that the entry "in effect will correspond to the sixth month, counted from the publication in the Official Journal".

This criterion was based on the fact that the indications presented on May 17 established "excessive" deadlines and that the definition of six months is sufficient for those who do not use the jigger to be able to adapt to the new requirement.

On the other hand, taking into account that the present initiative has had a good level of support, the deputies considered that all those who affect them should start to socialize the change that is coming.

In the session it was observed, finally, that this bill has been discussed since 2014 and, therefore, there has been enough time to begin to change the fishing gear of the giant squid. In this way, the term of the six months for its adaptation is considered reasonable.

The workers of the fishing industry regretted the approval of this bill by the Lower House and have warned that if the initiative goes ahead in the Senate, they will carry out new demonstrations.

Related articles:

- Valparaíso SMEs reject bill regulating giant squid fishery
- ASIPES insists on manual giant squid catch parliamentary project unconstitutionality
- Chamber of Deputies approves bill regulating giant squid capture
- Artesanal sector calls for support to eliminate trawling in giant squid catch

[email protected]
www.seafood.media

Print