The initiative, which was referred to the Fisheries Commission for analysis modifies the General Law on Fisheries and Aquaculture.
The Senators explained that "it is a fishing system that produces disastrous effects on the marine ecosystem and only a small percentage of what is caught is used."
They said the study "Trawling, Destroying Marine Life", by Oceana Foundation, found that the seabed trawling method is destroying the marine bed and leading to the destruction of algae, plants, animals, ancient, slow-growing corals, sponges, etc. It also destroys their habitats, making them more vunerable to predators.
The Senators also pointed out that the method creates a large bycatch which is discarded into the sea, with many of which being endangered species.
It should be noted that the General Law on Fisheries and Aquaculture recognises the severity of the trawlers.
Due to the negative impact of trawling in artisinal fishing waters, bottom trawling has already been banned in these areas.
The Senators are therfore arguing that the ban on trawling should be extened outside just the artisinal fishing areas to cover the entirity of Chilean waters.
Senators Call For Complete Ban On Bottom Trawling
CHILE - A group of Chilean Senators; Hernn Larran, Ximena Rincn, Juan Antonio Coloma and Andres Zaldivar, are working towards an ammendentment of the General Law on Fisheries and Aquaculture by banning bottom trawling in order to protect marine ecosystems.
