Some major seafood firms have yet to begin reconstruction following the earthquake and tsunami of late February. (Photo: CONAPACH)

Seafood firms delay reconstruction

Several of Chile's major seafood firms have still not commenced with rebuilding plans needed to resume normal activity at three months since the earthquake and tsunami of last 27 February.

The seafood sector of Bio Bio carries great importance for the economy of the region, where estimates indicate it provides jobs for one out of every five inhabitants.

For now, only some companies have started disaster cleanup.

In Concepcion, almost all the sectors affected by the seismic event have recovered, contrary to which is occurring in Talcahuano, where little hope of swift reconstruction exists, Diario Financiero reports.

The companies most damaged by the earthquake and tsunami would need economic aid estimated at USD 300 million to assume the desired recovery.

For example, the companies Pesquera Landes SA, Alimar and Pesquera Camanchaca SA, which own 29 per cent of the fishing quotas, sustained the worst consequences of the seismic event.

Months ago, the head of the Fisheries Subsecretariat (SUBPESCA), Pablo Galilea, recognised that the fate of the maximum fishing quotas per shipowner needed to be legislated as soon as possible, as the current regulatory framework expires in 2012.

In any case, he warned that there will be no advances in this law before late 2010.

Upon hearing the news, the majority of fish firm owners were surprised, as this could lead to the paralysation of activity in factories and put about 5,000 workers' jobs at risk.

Pesquera Landes already laid off 400 of its 650 workers, and in Alimar, one of the most affected, cleanup has only recently begun.

Related article:

- Emergency measures announced for fishing industry

By Analia Murias
editorial@seafood.media
www.seafood.media

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