Chile issues fourth installment of artisanal fishing fuel subsidies

The Chilean government has implemented the fourth installment of the ‘Pesca Artesanal’ coupon, an extraordinary benefit designed to mitigate the impact of rising fuel costs on small-scale artisanal fishing. Under the ‘Chile Sale Adelante’ plan, the measure provides a monthly transfer of $100,000 for up to six months, intended exclusively for purchasing fuel for small vessels.

Nationally, this latest payment reaches 4,657 artisanal fishers, representing a total investment of $465.7 million. In the Coquimbo Region, the benefit supports 531 workers across five communes with over $53.1 million. To address difficulties in accessing the funds, authorities have committed to a collaborative effort between Sernapesca, BancoEstado, and local fishers to facilitate the process.

In the Ñuble Region, the program has enabled 40 coupons between May and July, totaling approximately $4 million in resources. Because fuel represents between 30% and 60% of operational costs for the artisanal fishing sector, the government aims to ensure the continuity of fishing activities and protect associated employment.