MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chilean 2005 fisheries exports over 3 billion US dollars

For the first time ever Chilean fisheries exports will surpass three billion US dollars, 400 million US dollars above the 2004 record, mainly because of the industry's success in adding value to production.

"This year the industry has exported goods with a higher added value which helps push prices and signals an important advance over previous years", said this week Chile's Fisheries Under-Secretary Felipe Sandoval, "besides the fact that the domestic market has seen an increased supply of fish".

Salmon leads the export volume and value list with overseas sales reaching 1.318 billion US dollars in the first ten months of 2005, followed y fish meal and oil, and frozen produce mainly hake, jurel and different types of cod.

"But aquaculture has also become an important contributor", said Critisan Jara general manager of Sonapesca. An example of this is the production of "choritos" (Mytilus chilensis) which accumulated a production equivalent to 69.500 tons in the first ten months of this year with exports forecasted to reach 40 million US dollars. Back in 2000, the value was 9 million.

Mr. Jara points out that cutting costs and increasing the quality of exported produce has been the main impact behind the surge in exports and the "Fisheries Bill which helped put order in the industry and improve the overall operation".

As to 2006 prospects, "we begin with many issues clearly defined, several uncertainties and the main challenge is the indiscriminate jurel catching by Chinese vessels in the high seas".

Sonapesca president Roberto Izquierdo defines the Chinese high seas activity as contrary to conservation, "disloyal competition" and responsible for the 75.000 tons reduction in jurel catches which Chilean industry must comply with.

Actually the Chilean industry is considering presenting a court appeal for economic protection against the Chilean government in spite of further limits to the number of Chinese vessels (from 5 to 3) in Chilean ports.

Another issue concerning the Chilean fisheries industry is the consequence of the Peruvian decision to change the northern boundaries, theoretically expanding Peruvian jurisdiction in the area.