The measure is intended to regulate the marketing of hake when it is obtained as bycatch in other fisheries.
The document states that, by decree No. 20 of 2011 of the Ministry of Economy, there is a biological closure for hake from 1 to 30 September.
However, the same Decree states that this ban is not absolute, but allows the marketing of hake when it is obtained as bycatch in fishing operations on other resources.
This legislation authorises the landing of up to five per cent of hake as bycatch in those fisheries targeting other fish and up to 10 per cent of hake as bycatch when fishing is targeting crustaceans, using trawls. The percentage of the bycatch is calculated on the total weight of the target species.
During the ban, fishermen will be required to inform the nearest Sernapesca office at the point of landing, of the presence of hake in the load at least one hour before landfall.
The owners of the vessels may also make this notification through the leaders of the organisation they belong to.
The National Director of Fisheries, Juan Luis Ansoleaga stressed that "all landings of hake taken as bycatch, and a corresponding target resource must be accredited with the Service. To do this, each owner must submit on a daily basis, their respective statement of captures to the nearest Sernapesca office."
The authority added that control inspectors will be able to comply with this legislation in both the landing and in all subsequent activities. For this reason, he said, those who are involved in distributing or retailing of hake or their products must have, at time of inspection, documentation and other records for the evidence of ownership of the resource and the accreditation of its legal origin in order to have a traceability procedure in accordance with fishing regulations.
Finally, Mr Ansoleaga announced that the Regional Offices have the possibility of establishing alternative procedures for collecting the capture disclosure forms, which will be informed to users.
"We aim to provide fishermen with the tools to comply with these regulations by adapting procedures to the specific situation in each area," he said.
Sernapesca To Regulate Hake Bycatch During Ban
CHILE - Sernapesca is establishing a rule to contol the marketing of hake when caught as a bycatch during the hake ban period. The rule will improve regulations and monitoring, through sernapesca authorising the landing of hake before it is landed and marketed.
