A delegation of scientists and representatives from the Shanghai Ocean University (SHOU) and the China Overseas Fisheries Association (COFA) visited several regions in Chile this week, including Los Lagos, Tarapacá, Biobío, and Valparaíso. The visit aimed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in economic, port, and fisheries matters.
The delegation’s activities included meetings with local authorities, technical teams, and artisanal fishers. On Wednesday in Puerto Montt, they were received by the Presidential Delegate, regional economic officials, and fisheries authorities. They then traveled to Hualaihué for a workshop with demersal artisanal fishers addressing challenges caused by sea lions affecting their catches. The workshop was attended by leaders from various fishing organizations such as Zoila Bustamante of CONAPACH; José Alvarado of the Hualaihué Fishers Federation; and Juan García of the Merluceros Association.
During the same period in Iquique, another group from the delegation visited the Port of Iquique and met with managers and artisanal fishers from FEBUPESCA as well as caletas Cavancha and Riquelme. Discussions focused on sustainable management of resources like jumbo squid and other pelagic species.
On Thursday, the group toured ASMAR Talcahuano’s facilities to learn about shipyard capabilities and discuss possible collaboration on maintenance planning for fishing vessels operating in international waters.
One of the final events on their agenda was a meeting with Álvaro García Hurtado, Minister of Economy and Energy, and Julio Salas, Undersecretary for Fisheries and Aquaculture. Following this meeting at the Ministry of Economy headquarters in Santiago, participants moved to Valparaíso to work with Sernapesca on implementing the Port State Measures Agreement—a key tool against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU).
“This visit is part of what was announced after the official mission to China in February this year,” said organizers. “It is an important step toward deepening collaborative work and seeking deterrent solutions that can minimize ongoing issues related to marine mammal interactions.”
Julio Salas emphasized: “Cooperation between countries in the global south is essential for achieving Sustainable Development Goals as well as combating IUU fishing to protect exclusive economic zones, marine ecosystems’ health, and resource sustainability.”
The visit follows commitments outlined in a joint declaration between China and Chile from October 2023. Both countries are also working to update their longstanding memorandum of understanding on fisheries cooperation established in 1995.
