MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Regional News from Pta. Arenas

Headlines: Punta Arenas employment stable; Livestock Show; Abundant shrimp; Chile plans to double animal exports; President Lagos in Antarctica; Toothfish conference.

Punta Arenas employment stable

According to the latest release from the Chilean Labour Department unemployment in Magallanes Region during the November-January quarter reached 6,4%, 0,1% over the previous quarter but a half point increase over the same period a year ago. Jorge Restovic, Magallanes Labour Department representative said that the region experienced an "interesting upturn in industrial production and commerce, plus a recovery in the construction industry. The labour force and the number of jobs created during the last twelve months were similar". Mr. Restovic also pointed out that there's a greater presence in the local labour market of Chileans who have returned from Argentina and a growing number of women coming into the market. Total labour force in Magallanes reached 67,670 in the November-January Q., 740 more than the previous quarter and 3,570 over a year ago. The greatest increase in occupation compared to the previous quarter were recorded in construction, 570; financial services, 670 and manufacturing 280. Jobs dropped in mining and quarries, 300 and 190 in communities, social and personal services. Compared to a year ago employment increased in commerce, 1650; financial services, 670 and 620 in communities, social and personal services. Employment dropped in mining and quarries 560 and 200 in public utilities. Mr. Restovic said that the central government financed work programs for the unemployed will continue.

Livestock Show

The Magallanes Breeders Association is holding its 51st.Annual Livestock Show that will extend from March 5 to Sunday 9. Although traditionally an ovine show, this year 265 sheep and 25 cattle have been registered for the competition. A number of conferences are also scheduled as well as presentations by the Chilean Agriculture Research Institute regarding sustainable and profitable options for Magallanes farming. Natural pasture, pasture improvement, genetics, cross breeding, lamb production for overseas markets, disposal of contaminated water are some of the issues that will be discussed during the five days agricultural show. On Thursday 6 wool market prospects will be analyzed together with a public discussion on the possible privatization of the Sacor plant in Porvenir, one of the two main abattoirs in the Magallanes region. The program also includes a dog show; crafts exhibition; hydroponics and experiences with cross breeding of Merino with Corriedale, and Suffolk with Romney Marsh.

Abundant shrimp

Shrimp is abundant in the Magellan Strait area according to German and Chilean scientists who participated in a thirteen days research cruise in the area. German marine biologist Dr. Matthias Gorny reported that according to primary information, "the concentration of shrimp in the area is high and similar to a previous cruise in 2001. We also noticed abundance of penguins and marine mammals which means they need food and therefore great quantities of micro algae". Dr. Gorny pointed out that "water temperature seems to be higher, possibly a degree, in some places over a degree, that also helps to explain the abundance of shrimp in certain areas". However Dr. Gorny was cautious and said that the group now has three long months of data assessment of all the information collected during the research cruise, particularly regarding Diatomeas micro algae. "And the specialists will move in". Another of the cruise experiments involved detection and measuring of the red tide, algae with toxins that severely limit the seafood extraction industry in Magallanes. "We are equipped with state of the art instruments that enable us to check blooming micro algae and anticipate conditions. Actually there are only four or five of these in the whole world", said Ruben Alarcón, one of the Chilean scientists in the research cruise. Mr. Alarcón added that once all the information was processed a new cruise will be organized but this time with the purpose of collecting shrimp samples and beginning to work in a shrimp alternative. Chilean authorities are concerned about conservation of king crab in Magallanes and are looking at other options for the local industry.

Chile plans to double animal exports

Chile has an ambitious plan to increase different animal exports reaching 550 million US dollars by 2005. Agriculture and Livestock Undersecretary Arturo Barrera said that compared to 2002 when 285 million US dollars were exported, "this means almost doubling overseas sales". The 550 million are to be made up off, 200 million US dollars in pork; 100 million in poultry; 100 million in dairy products; 100 million in beef and 50 million, others. Chile's animal produce exports actually increased 7% between 2002 and 2001, but Mr. Barrera feels they can reach 350 million US dollars in 2003. Mr. Barrera said his optimism is based on the "extraordinary opportunities of the trade agreements with the European Union and the United States, plus the export oriented programs sponsored by the government". The Chilean government and the private sector are working together in the implementation of Beef, Poultry and Dairy Export Plans.

President Lagos in Antarctica

Chilean president Ricardo Lagos will be inaugurating this Tuesday the remodelling and improvement works in the Chilean Army Bernardo O'Higgins Antarctic base. According to Chilean press reports the reforms in the base that was founded in 1948 demanded a five million US dollars investment. President Lagos will be arriving in Punta Arenas Monday evening and early Tuesday morning will fly in a Hercules with Defence Minister Michelle Bachelet and the Armed Forces Joint Chief of Staff to the President Frei base, from where the second and final leg of the journey in Twin Otters will begin. The reforms in Bernardo O'Higgins base include refurbishing of the original buildings, a mobile jetty for logistic operations, a gym that can also be used as a refuge plus drinking water equipment and a plant to process organic residues. Eighteen people live the year round in this Antarctic base. President Lagos is expected back in Punta Arenas Tuesday evening and will be leaving for Santiago Wednesday midday. He's expected to participate in the inauguration of the 2003 school year in one of the local institutions.

Toothfish conference

Representatives from the Chilean Antarctic and Austral Ocean Committee met with the board of the Officers and Crew of Special Vessels in Punta Arenas to talk about toothfish. The visiting delegation headed by Mr. Cristian Pérez described how the illegal catching of toothfish in the southern seas involves convenience flag vessels, "phantom" companies in third countries, and in spite to tempting retributions, "working conditions are not the best and if caught poaching the whole crew is usually abandoned in some distant island or port". "Something which Magallanes crews have experienced quiet often", emphasized Mr. Pérez, adding that "we simply counsel, but since so many Punta Arenas fishermen work for different companies all over the world we believe it's our duty to tell you how the illegal network functions". "Conservation and fishing jobs are intimately linked, that is why we must have a permanent exchange with Punta Arenas fishermen's unions".