Artisan fishermen in Chile protested on March 25 over new fishing quotas, leading to clashes with police. They demand the Senate consider their needs in the quota distribution bill. The Senate plans to continue discussions and hearings from fishing representatives on March 26.
On March 25, clashes occurred in Valparaiso as artisan fishermen protested against a new fishing law currently under Senate discussion in Chile. The protest aimed to demand improved fishing quotas, with unionized fishers marching to Congress to urge the Senate to accommodate their needs in the proposed bill regarding quota distribution.
Protesters monitored the Senate discussions via giant screens set up outside. Following the session, tensions rose, leading to encounters with riot police, who deployed water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowd. The protest highlighted grievances over the Senate’s bill, which small-scale fishermen felt did not adequately address their quota requirements.
The proposed legislation seeks to revise the allocation of fishing quotas, establishing catch limits for both industrial and artisanal fisheries across multiple regions. The Senate is scheduled to continue its discussions on March 26, including hearings from representatives of both artisan and industrial fishing sectors, as confirmed by an official statement.
The protests by artisan fishermen in Chile against the new fishing law emphasize the critical need for equitable quota distribution. Despite clashes with police, the dialogues in the Senate are expected to involve input from both artisan and industrial fishing representatives, which may lead to a more balanced outcome for all stakeholders within the fishing sector.
Original Source: www.fbcnews.com.fj
