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Merlu threatened: Chile's fisheries fight against overfishing and climate change!
Fishing ports in Chili are affected because merlu is becoming increasingly rare. Changes in legislation and climate impacts make sustainable fishing more difficult.
Merlu threatened: Chile's fisheries fight against overfishing and climate change!
The small port of Caleta Portales in Chile couldn't look bleaker at the moment. Fishing boats often return with empty nets - an alarming sign for local fisheries and the community. The main protagonist, the Merlu, faces a serious threat and is becoming increasingly rare. Fisherman Rodrigo Gallardo, 46, recently baited a palangre with 2,000 sardines to catch just one merlu. This shows how serious the situation is. According to figaronautisme.meteoconsult.fr, the population of Merlus in the Pacific has declined by a staggering 70% over the last 20 years.
Despite stricter quota regulations since 2013, Merlu biomass loss has increased by 17% between 2023 and 2024. This tense situation has led to talk of “overfishing”, a situation that has existed since 2012. To combat this crisis, fishing limits for merlu have been reduced from 121,000 tonnes in 2001 to just 35,000 tonnes.
Challenges of sustainable fishing
The ongoing critical situation of the Merlus has a direct impact on jobs in the fishing sector. Marcel Moenne, the director of PacificBlu, recently warned that further reductions in quotas could put around 3,200 jobs at risk. The change in quota sharing – from 40% for artisanal fisheries and 60% for industrial fishermen to 45% and 55% – was also decided to promote sustainable fishing.
In addition to these measures, fishermen must learn to adapt to the consequences of climate change. Climate change has already affected the distribution and reproduction of the merlus in Chilean waters. The French Ministry of Agriculture emphasizes the need to strengthen the resilience of fisheries and aquaculture to these changes. The migration of populations and the associated adjustments in the allocation of catch quotas are also important.
Future prospects
The Chilean government is also committed to protecting deep-sea fisheries and has protected more than 40% of the country's waters through Marine Protected Areas. The authorities are also hoping for additional support through the signing of a UN treaty on deep-sea fishing. Valparaíso should therefore be made the seat of this treaty.
The “Pêche Durable” initiative in France shows the importance of a sustainable fishing policy that takes into account both environmental and social criteria. An Ecolabel, which has existed since 2017, promotes fishing that has no significant impact on ecosystems, respects the living and working conditions of fishermen and guarantees fresh products. These standards should also serve as a guide for Chilean fisheries to ensure a sustainable future. The path therefore lies through awareness and measures that benefit both the environment and the local economy.