Undersecretary of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Román Zelaya and Norwegian Fisheries Minister Harald Tom Nesvik signed in Norway a statement that highlights the pernicious effects of illegal fishing.
"It has serious effects on the economy, since it distorts markets, damages the environment and undermines human rights," reads the document, signed a few days ago in the Scandinavian nation.
The statement specifically points to the need to join forces to combat one of the variants of the phenomenon: organized transnational illegal fishing.
"This activity covers crimes committed throughout the fishing offer and its value chain, including: illegal fishing, corruption, tax fraud, money laundering, embezzlement, document fraud and human trafficking," the instrument details.
Later, the two countries agree that "inter-institutional cooperation between government agencies is essential at the national, regional and international levels, in order to prevent, combat and eradicate transnational crime organized in the global fishing industry."
It also recognizes the importance that the ocean and its resources have for the economies, food and welfare of the population. "We are determined to support a healthy and prosperous fishing industry that is based on fair competition and sustainable use of the ocean," the two states add.
The statement signed by the undersecretary and the minister is in line with the importance that the Government of President Sebastián Piñera gives to the fight against illegal fishing, on different fronts.
In fact, from March of last year, Subpesca, Sernapesca and other public bodies have joined forces to curb the problem. Road controls through mobile checkpoints, intense landings control and even the use of intelligence tactics, are among the strategies deployed.
An increase in seizures of highly demanded marine resources, along with other indicators, show that these actions are well under way, according to specialist analysis. ■
A hyperactive weather pattern will bring an expansive low pressure system across mainland U.S., resulting in widespread impactful weather to progress from west to east across the country through the next few days.