MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Jiggers have started crossing from the Pacific to the Atlantic, reports Chilean Navy

Chilean Navy is keeping track of the expected 200 vessels crossing the Magellan Strait

The Chilean Navy said it is keeping track of the international fishing fleet (mostly jiggers), transiting through the Magellan Strait from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean which started in November.

It is estimated that over 200 fishing vessels will be crossing into the Atlantic in the four month period from November to end of March 2023, and the different departments of the Chilean navy are following the vessels with reports from the string of lighthouses, maritime radio-stations and different port authorities.

The Navy's report adds that a Maritime Police fast vessel has been stationed to the south of Punta Arenas to monitor the international fishing fleet, some of which are waiting for pilots to cross the Strait.

“Our multi dimensional effort is to safeguard lives at sea, control maritime traffic and ensure territorial influence,” Captain Jaime Mansilla head of Punta Arenas Maritime Authority said. He added that during the current season an estimated 200 fishing vessels are expected to cross from the Pacific to the Atlantic

The Chilean Navy report concludes saying that over 3,000 vessels on average cross the Magellan Strait, from all over the world, confirming the importance of this maritime route for global and domestic trade.