en.Wedoany.com Reported - Chile's Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Subpesca) is continuously monitoring the unusually scarce jack mackerel resources in the Biobío region and the significantly lower catch volumes compared to the same period in previous years. This phenomenon may be triggered by changes in ocean conditions and fish migration, potentially impacting employment, processing plants, and the entire industrial and artisanal fishing chain.

Undersecretary Osvaldo Urrutia explained that such phenomena are caused by a combination of factors, among which oceanic changes and effects related to the El Niño phenomenon—such as water temperatures slightly above normal—can significantly alter the behavior, migration routes, and availability of jack mackerel, thereby creating a complex situation for the industry. He further pointed out that the greatest concern currently lies with the workers, fishers, businesses, and families directly dependent on fishing activities, especially in the Biobío region, where fishing holds historical, social, and productive importance.

Subpesca stated it is continuously tracking developments, reviewing technical data, and maintaining coordination with all relevant parties. Warning signs emerged as early as February this year: fishing vessels found reduced numbers of jack mackerel in regular fishing grounds, and even when caught, the individual fish sizes were smaller. As of the latest data, the industry's catch volume has reached only 28% of the annual quota, whereas under normal circumstances, it should have reached approximately 60% by this time.

Undersecretary Urrutia revealed that in recent hours, jack mackerel of suitable size have appeared around Santa María Island, but the agency will continue to monitor closely until the situation stabilizes consistently, in order to safeguard production activities and mitigate impacts on employment and fishing communities as much as possible.

This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com