Chile participated in the second meeting of the Subcommittee on Fisheries Management of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), held from Feb. 23 to 27 in Reykjavik, Iceland, according to a March 9 announcement. The Chilean delegation was represented by Nicole Mermoud, head of the Fisheries Department at the Undersecretariat for Fisheries and Aquaculture (Subpesca).
The event brought together representatives from 47 committee members, observers from four other FAO members, a United Nations specialized agency, and 28 observers from intergovernmental and international non-governmental organizations. Key topics discussed included conservation and sustainable use of fish populations, assessment and management of multi-species fisheries—especially where data is limited—fleet capacity management, integration of social dimensions into fisheries management, and strengthening regional cooperation.
Mermoud said it is important to strengthen solid and effective management based on robust scientific evidence as a fundamental pillar for ensuring healthy and productive fisheries. During the sessions, Chile shared its experience in fisheries administration, highlighting its institutional framework that supports decision-making through independent scientific reports, technical scientific committees, and formal processes for setting quotas and management measures.
The Chilean delegation called on member countries to move toward governance models that prioritize the best available scientific information, transparency, and a precautionary approach in line with FAO principles. Manuel Barange, Deputy Director-General and Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture at FAO, said: “It is vital that we keep all fisheries healthy and productive,” emphasizing the need for responsible management as more than one third of marine populations are overexploited.
Chile’s participation reaffirms its commitment to sustainable fishery resources, global food security, and international cooperation by promoting modern fisheries administration based on science as a foundation for current and future generations.
