The Chilean Navy and naval leaders from 17 countries address the maritime challenges of illegal fishing

By Nicolás García

The Chilean Navy, along with representatives of 17 countries from Southeast Asia, Oceania, Northeast Asia, South America, and the Indian Ocean regions, analyzed the maritime challenges of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in the eighth edition of the Multilateral Maritime Virtual Key Leaders Engagement (KLE).

At the telematic meeting, organized by the Commander of the US Navy’s Pacific Fleet, Admiral Samuel Paparo, participants addressed the challenges posed by this threat to national security, the economy, and the conservation of marine ecosystems and their biodiversity.

According to the US Navy, representatives discussed the shared responsibility to combat IUU, which affects half of the world’s population, and the growing complexity of the environment as state and non-state actors illegally exploit ocean resources.

This multinational maritime engagement program underscored the North American country’s commitment to strengthen alliances and partnerships for an enduring, resilient, free, and open Indo-Pacific for the benefit of all its nations.

CHILE’S EXPERIENCE

The Chilean Navy, participating for the second time in this international virtual meeting, was represented by the Commander of Naval Operations (Comoper), Vice Admiral José Luis Fernández.

In his presentation, Vice Admiral Fernandez explained how the institution had addressed the challenges in this area.

Firstly, by considering the legal framework that supports the protection of the oceans and sustainable conservation of biodiversity, and secondly, how the Chilean Navy and its platforms are organized to confront this illegal activity.

Participating leaders expressed after the seminar the importance of expanding cooperation between navies and coast guards, including information sharing, for interoperability and maintaining good order at sea.

They also stressed the importance of deep partnerships in support of the sovereign rights of all nations, regardless of size, to keep the seas safe, secure, and sustainable.

With information from Infodefensa

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