Request For Cuttlefish To Be An Artisanal Fishery

A draft agreement by which prompted the authorities of Fishing "to repeal Decree 120, published on September 27, 2003, which authorizes the use of cuttlefish in the production of fishmeal and establish this fishery and artisanal" predicted Senator Alejandro Navarro, president of the Committee on the Environment.

The MP said that, "We need more scientific research and regulating of the capture of cephalopod to avoid ending up being over-exploited, as has happened with other species."

He asserted that, "There are good reasons to pay attention to the cuttlefish, which went from being an excuse for the depletion of hake to becoming a solution for them."

He added: "We believe that instead of converting it into flour, squid should be a resource to be promoted more intensively for human consumption and in this context artisanal and small processing plants have much to do, such as in Peru which is intended to capture all cuttlefish for direct human consumption."

Senator Navarro said that "some regions are already working with the cuttlefish, looking for measures in addition to generating employment in artisanal fisheries, which will encourage the use of cuttlefish. A marine species that provides important nutrients whilst being low cost. It is especially valuable health wise for use with children and in the fight against obesity."

He noted that "already there are positive experiences such as, the cuttlefish Junaeb hamburger for school lunches."

The legislator insisted that "on issues like this that should be made to fisheries research, allowing us to update data on the cuttlefish, biomass and behavior in order to avoid situations in which one side gets to a point overexploitation and the other, losing the opportunity to become a new source of jobs and protein, especially considering that after spawning, cuttlefish die. "

Finally, Senator Navarro recalled that in 2003 total landings were 16,000 tonnes, which could be associated with large varazones on beaches during the year and first half of 2004 registered in places like Coliumo, Santa Maria Island, Gulf of Arauco and Isla de Chilo.

In 2004, after the promulgation of Decree 120 was landing by 150 thousand tons, 250 thousand tons by 2005 and 2006 to a figure slightly lower at the latter.