Chile implements new fishing protocols to address jack mackerel crisis

The Chilean government, through the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Subpesca), has established a new protocol to create temporary protection areas for jack mackerel (jurel) fishing. This measure, published in the Official Gazette, is effective retroactively from July 31, 2026, and will remain in place until December 31, 2026.

The protocol aims to address a crisis in resource availability caused by climate factors, such as the El Niño phenomenon and rising sea temperatures, which have led to a scarcity of appropriately sized fish. The initiative allows for the establishment of protection areas from the Arica y Parinacota region to Los Lagos. It utilizes early warning mechanisms, voluntary displacement of fishing zones, and temporary safeguards to manage the crisis.

Subsecretary Osvaldo Urrutia noted that while recent sightings of normal-sized mackerel have been encouraging, continued monitoring is necessary. The measure provides exceptional flexibility to both artisanal and industrial fishing sectors, allowing them to utilize specimens that might otherwise be discarded, thereby reducing waste and helping to balance biomass conservation with economic needs.