Chilean fishers call for urgent measures to recover hake stocks

Artisanal fishing representatives from the Los Lagos and Aysén regions in Chile have submitted a formal request to the Undersecretary of Fisheries and Aquaculture to implement urgent measures to recover the southern hake population. Leaders from various fishing unions and environmental organizations, including Oceana and Fishers of the Future, warn that the species is overexploited and that the current crisis threatens the livelihoods of coastal communities.

The proposed measures include progressively expanding the biological ban, establishing minimum catch sizes to protect immature fish, protecting spawning grounds, and increasing efforts to combat illegal fishing.

Separately, Sernapesca has launched a national campaign to enforce a biological ban on common hake throughout September. This ban prohibits the capture, transport, and commercialization of fresh common hake during its peak reproductive period. Authorities are urging citizens to refrain from purchasing the fish and to report illegal sales to support the sustainability of the fishery, which involves over 3,000 fishers nationwide.