• “Regional Pride in the Heart of Chile” was the name of the event held at SurActivo that highlighted the role of those working in the industrial fishing sector.

• ⁠The event takes place amid the final stage of the fishing fractionation project. The sector has stated that there will be operational damage and impact on the competitiveness of national industrial fishing due to the incorporation of a new tax on international quota transfers.

Under the slogan “Regional Pride in the Heart of Chile” and highlighting the Biobío’s role as the Fishing Capital of the country, this Sunday, June 8th, industrial fishing workers celebrated their day for the second consecutive year, recognizing the value of this activity for generating marine food for human consumption and the development of the local economy. More than 5,000 people gathered at SurActivo to, with their families, express pride in belonging to a historic activity, deeply rooted in the productive heart of the Biobío and which has become an important source of employment, especially for women heads of household.

The activity was marked by recognition of union leaders who have been part of the legislative discussion of the new fishing fractionation, protecting the main economic source for municipalities such as Tomé, Talcahuano, and Coronel.

“The history of Biobío cannot be told without the sea, nor can the history of Chile be told without industrial fishing. Thanks to the effort of workers in this sector, millions of people have access to food that improves their quality of life. That is more than enough reason to hold our heads high with pride,” commented Macarena Cepeda Godoy, president of Industrial Fishers of Biobío.

It is worth noting that the Biobío Region is the area where more than half of the country’s total catches are landed and a territory characterized by the installation of technology for the capture and processing of fisheries such as jack mackerel and common hake, in accordance with international sustainability parameters.

Fractionation

⁠The event took place amid the final stage of the fishing fractionation project, where it has been stated that there will be operational damage and impact on the competitiveness of industrial fishing due to the incorporation of a new tax on international jack mackerel quota transfers.

“With this law, fishing Chile as a leader and its world capital, which is the Biobío Region, are left in a position of disadvantage, with higher costs and less competitiveness. This will not be without cost. Companies will have to adjust their costs, face greater operational constraints, less workforce, among other effects. Undoubtedly, today this industrial sector that drives the economic activity of Biobío faces a future that will not be like the one we know,” indicated Macarena Cepeda.

Authorities such as the regional governor, Sergio Giacaman, the mayor of Talcahuano, Eduardo Saavedra, and parliamentarians attended the celebration, sharing with workers and their families and highlighting their role in a sector fundamental to the local economy and development.

National Day

Although this is the second year that industrial fishing workers celebrate their day, Chile does not have an institutional calendar date that establishes the National Day of Industrial Fishing, so this was one of the most felt demands from attendees. For Juan Carlos González, president of the Inter-Company Union of Fishing Masters and Captains, this celebration is already part of the heritage of industrial fishing workers in the Biobío Region, recognizing those who belong to an activity with almost unique characteristics.

“We are the last region from here northward that has complete industrial fishing activity. We are one of the economic pillars that sustains Biobío, providing formal, decent and quality employment. We are the fishing capital of the country and the world capital of jack mackerel. And finally, we have been able to ensure that fishing activity is based on sustainability and environmental responsibility, contributing to development and growth. More than enough reasons to recognize that the development of any industry and its contribution to local and regional economies is made with capital investment and labor contribution, that is, there is no economic activity without workers,” said the leader.

The 2nd version of the Industrial Fishing Workers’ Day Festival also featured performances by dancer Iván Cabrera, presentations by comedian Jorge Alís and the group Axé Bahía. Additionally, 20 entrepreneurs from Coronel, Talcahuano, and Tomé were able to offer their products to attendees.