Fishermen's cove in Biobio region. (Photo: Confepach)
Several fishing companies investigated for possible collusion
(CHILE, 3/10/2016)
The National Economic Prosecutor (FNE) is investigating possible acts of collusion and abuse of dominant position in the fisheries sector, linked to the relation of some large companies producing fishmeal with the owners of artisanal boats supplying them.
The investigation began following a complaint by an artisanal fisherman in the region of Bio Bio, Sergio Alarcon, who has had contracts since 2004 with Alimar, Pulso reported.
These conventions set the money loan to purchase a boat in exchange for the exclusive and direct delivery of fish for fishmeal or fish oil manufacture only to the company.
The article published by Pulso indicates that "although the complaint that was made in FNE offices only refers to Alimar, the persecutory company decided to officiate to other companies as Blumar, Pesquera Landes, Lota Protein and Bahia Coronel," among which this media managed to confirm.
The complaint that gave rise to the research questions that Alimar sets the capture permits granted by the authority as guarantees for various contracts that it has with artisanal fishermen, a situation which is directly linked with the Fisheries Act.
In addition, it notes the existence of a possible price agreement for the purchase of production from the large operators to the artisanal ones.
"The implementation of the Fisheries Act empowered the fishing firms to seize all kinds of permits. In fact, there was a modification of the contracts that had been settled, which formerly set that fishing permits were not set as guarantee for anything. Today, fishing permits are even at risk", stresses attorney Luis Apablaza, the signer of the complaint.
Speaking to Radio Bio-Bio, the lawyer added: "A money loan is delivered but associated with the sole and exclusive sale of all what they fish until the gross (debt) is paid, this artisanal fishermen is prevented from trading his product compared to other fisheries that are offered at a higher price."
Faced with this complaint, the FNE decided to expand the scope of research to other companies in the sector, which were given a deadline until Friday to release records on fishing contracts with suppliers.
According to Pulso, the president of the National Fisheries Society, Francisco Orrego, said they have no information regarding an investigation to companies in the sector by the FNE, but he has for a long time been working to "improve transparency standards in the sector."
Blumar general manager, Gerardo Balbontín, confirmed the request for information from the FNE, but he ruled out the existence of anti-competitive behavior.
editorial@seafood.media
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Information of the company:
City:
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Providencia
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State/ZIP:
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Santiago ( )
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Country:
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Chile
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Phone:
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+56 2 225 6190
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Fax:
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+56 2 225 6190
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E-Mail:
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pweber@alimar.cl
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