Blumar begins Sardine and Anchovy fishing season
with demanding health and safety measures
On the eve of restarting the Sardine fishing season, Blumar received a visit at its San Vicente facilities from the Regional Economy Minister of Biobío, Mauricio Gutiérrez and the Zonal Director of Subpesca for Ñuble and Biobío, Oscar Henríquez.
They were received by Blumar’s Fishing Operations Manager, José Ocares, who along with his team, demonstrated the implementation of preventive measures adopted in response to the health emergency caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which have been established in the fish processing and unloading plants.
“During this time of contingency we have taken precautions to best guarantee the well-being of our people, those who are aboard the vessels, those on land and all our collaborators, as well as artisanal fishermen,” he said and added that they reinforced proper sanitary management to minimize as much as possible the entry of contaminating agents into the plant.
In this regard, he explained, good communication has been fundamental to guarantee the operational continuity of the company amid this crisis and to continue contributing to the well-being of people and the local economy. Among the measures highlighted are the installation of sanitary barriers with temperature control and access to hand cleaning, sanitization tunnel and within the plants access points for sanitization, as well as the use of protective equipment such as masks.
For his part, the Regional Economy Minister, Mauricio Gutiérrez, highlighted that as a government it was of interest to meet with Blumar representatives to ensure worker safety. “We reviewed all the measures that Blumar has taken to have a good Sardine and Anchovy season, as well as to monitor how such a noble activity as fishing will develop. We are pleased because the lives of workers are being protected and a source of income that is of vital importance to the Biobío Region is being protected,” he said.
Finally, the Zonal Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture for the regions of Ñuble and Biobío, Oscar Henríquez, said they hope that this restart of the season will provide relief to all the crews and workers in the industry to work during the season. “Up to now the assessment is that we do not have any fishermen infected in the first stage of operations, nor in the fish meal plants…but we must not relax, the most difficult part is coming, we call on everyone to strengthen the measures and have a quiet season,” he concluded.
