This measure benefits around 9,000 small-scale vessels.
Subpesca
The Ministry of Economy and the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Subpesca) in Chile will provide a one-off, advance sectoral bonus to artisanal fishers as a mitigation measure in response to the impact of rising international fuel prices.
The support will consist of a direct payment per vessel, aimed at small boats that have a valid artisanal fishing registration and can prove activity during 2025 and in the month they apply for the benefit. The payment will be $100,000 per month for six months. The total cost of the measure will amount to $6 billion.
"We have been able to deliver this support responsibly, in line with the current fiscal situation, while not losing sight of the needs of such an important productive sector as artisanal fishing, whose workers go out every day to carry out their activities," said the Undersecretary of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Osvaldo Urrutia.
In this way, the Chilean government aims to preserve the continuity of fishing operations, sustain direct and indirect employment, and safeguard food security.
It is worth noting that fuel accounts for between 30% and 60% of operating costs, depending on the type of activity, for the country's 9,000 small-scale vessels. Also, most of them use gasoline, which is not covered by compensation mechanisms such as the diesel tax rebate.
"Fishing in our country is one of the most important productive sectors we have, and for that reason, we have worked tirelessly in recent days to develop a proposal that helps mitigate, in part, the effects of rising fuel prices affecting the country, to prevent a decline in the operational activity of artisanal fishing nationwide," Urrutia concluded.