There are three offices within the Chilean Government that oversee the Chilean fisheries. Through monitoring fishing activity, conducting test fisheries, and environmental studies they enact and enforce regulations to ensure the sustainability of the countries fisheries. In addition to the laws that cover the entire country there are additional regulations that only allow artisanal fishermen to ply the water within five miles of the shore. This keeps large volume commercial vessels from targeting shore fisheries increasing the sustainability of these grounds.
SUBPESCA, the Under Secretary of Fisheries, initiates policies and implements planning to ensure the sustainability of the Chilean fisheries. Data is collected by SERNAP, FIP, university marine science departments, contractors, as well as fishing vessels and processing facilities. The collected data is reviewed to asses the biomass and health of the resource in order to apply the appropriate quotas and regulations to ensure the sustainability of the resource. To go to the SUBPESCA website click here.
The National Marine Fisheries Service (SERNAP) is responsible for monitoring and enforcing fishery laws. Their mission: Monitor compliance of fisheries and aquaculture regulations that contribute to the stable development of the national fisheries. Strategic objectives: Monitoring the fishing and aquaculture activities to assure the legal and regulatory rules established for the sector are followed. To go to the SERNAP website click here.
The Fisheries Research Fund (FIP) funds research necessary to support the adoption of fisheries management measures and aquaculture activities. FIP is chaired by the Fisheries Research Council, which members are SUBPESCA, the president of The National Oceanic Committee, and six professionals of the fishing industry. Universities, research institutes, and consulting companies involved in fisheries and aquaculture sectors carry out the research as directed by FIP to collect the necessary dated required to manage the fisheries. To visit the FIP website click here.
SUBPESCA, SERNAP and FIP work together in the creation of fishery regulations and monitoring of the national fisheries of Chile to ensure the sustainability of the natural resources.