Original article: Mesa Pelágica del Biobío acusa falta de voluntad política del Gobierno y cuestiona que el ministro de Economía siga sin recibirlos
The Pelagic Council of the Biobío Region expressed deep frustration following a recent meeting with the region’s Seremi of Economy, Christian Cifuentes Bastías, where yet again there was no date set for the requested meeting with Minister of Economy, Daniel Mas (pictured).
The request for this audience was made after the Pelagic Council and Condepp deemed the Undersecretary of Fisheries, Osvaldo Urrutia, an invalid interlocutor due to failures to meet previously agreed commitments with the artisanal fishing sector. Since then, the organizations have decided that their political discussions would occur directly with the Minister of Economy.
Key issues that need to be addressed include the invalidation process of Exempt Resolution No. 2,563 of 2025, which issued fishing quotas to thousands of artisanal fishermen as a result of the new fractioning law; the final implementation of the resolution on warehouse cubic measures; the social platform promised for artisanal fishermen; and the growing criminalization faced by those engaged in this activity.
During the meeting on June 7th, the Seremi informed that the minister is aware of the situation but has yet to schedule a meeting with the Pelagic Council. Among the explanations given was that the ministerial authority is still familiarizing himself with issues related to the fishing sector.
For the leaders, this explanation is hard to understand: «We find this response deeply concerning. The Ministry has been operational for several months, and both the Government and the Undersecretary of Fisheries have held numerous meetings with representatives from the industrial fishing sector as well as with organizations connected to that industry.»
«It’s difficult to comprehend why those of us representing the pelagic artisanal fishing of Biobío continue to wait for an audience,» stated Hernán Cortés Bernal, president of Condepp and Fenaspar Chile.
Political Signal
Leaders argue that the lack of response is becoming a political signal.
«The Government has repeatedly stated that job creation is one of its main priorities. However, when we, who represent thousands of workers from the country’s leading fishing region, request a meeting to resolve specific issues, we simply aren’t received. It appears that employment is a priority only in rhetoric,» Cortés added.
In a similar vein, leader Omar Bustos asserted that «every week that passes without dialogue means more uncertainty for thousands of families who depend on artisanal fishing. We are not asking for privileges; we are demanding to be heard.»
Rigoberto Durán emphasized that «dialogue always prevents conflicts. What is incomprehensible is that the Government itself closes that avenue when it has the authority to meet with us.»
Finally, Hernán Cortés raised a question that he claimed is shared by the organizations of the Pelagic Council: «If the minister is aware of our situation and still chooses not to meet with us, it is legitimate to ask what political reasons explain this decision and what interests the Government is prioritizing by maintaining closed dialogue with one of Biobío’s most vital productive sectors.»
The organizations reiterated their commitment to continuing to seek an audience with the Minister of Economy and warned that they would evaluate new actions if no concrete political signal of openness to dialogue is provided.
We will continue to provide updates.
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