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ChileChile has a major role to play in determining the fate of Patagonian toothfish and the Southern Ocean ecosystem. Although a member of the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, Chile is home to fishing companies that own or operate a significant number of pirate toothfish vessels. Chile is also a toothfish market and trader. Many landings of illegally caught Patagonian toothfish still take place in Chilean ports. It's time for the Chilean government to take action to stop pirate fishing in the Southern Ocean.Contact the Chilean government today
Sample Letter The Honorable Juan Manuel Cruz Sanchéz Dear Sir: I am extremely concerned about the uncontrolled pirate fishing for toothfish in the waters of the Southern Ocean. Scientists estimate that at the current rate of fishing, the fishery would collapse within two years. In addition, many thousands of vulnerable species of seabirds, such as albatrosses and petrels, are dying on hooks intended to catch toothfish. The entire Southern Ocean ecosystem is at risk. Chile has been implicated in the illegal fishery for toothfish in the Southern Ocean. I demand that the involvement of Chile in the outrageous fish piracy ends, and that this government enacts domestic legislation to discourage the involvement of Chilean companies from profiting at the expense of this remote and fragile place. Despite widespread recognition that illegal fishing in the Southern Ocean is raging out of control and very little is known about the extent and impact of illegal fishing, Chile continues to place additional pressure on this unique environment by licensing, both within its waters and CCAMLR waters, still more fishing. This cannot be considered precautionary. It is apparent that Chile is currently placing more importance on pressure from commercial fishing companies than to the need to conserve this Antarctic fish. Pirate fishing companies will continue to find ways to disguise their trade in illegally caught fish as long as there is toothfish caught under license on the market. Chile is known to be involved in the trade in toothfish. It has been recognised that CCAMLR's Catch Documentation Scheme will be insufficient to end the trade in illegally caught toothfish. Until the massive illegal fishery is brought under control the only responsible action is to end all toothfish fishing in the Southern Ocean. Chile has also been identified as a "pirate port" country. This means that fish pirates who have been plundering the toothfish of the Southern Ocean know that they can go to Chilean ports to unload their illegal catch with next to no questions asked. Allowing pirates to land their illegal catches in our ports means that Chile plays a significant role in the pirate fishing problem and unnecessarily brings this country's reputation, both regionally and internationally, into disrepute. I ask that the Government of Chile immediately ends this association with illegal fish pirates and bans landings of toothfish immediately. As a member of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), this government has both the opportunity and responsibility to act on behalf of this fragile ecosystem. I urge you to demand a moratorium on fishing for toothfish in the Southern Ocean, backed by a trade ban, until the pirate fishing is eliminated. We should oppose the resumption of fishing for toothfish in the Southern Ocean until it can be demonstrated that the fishery can withstand the impact of commercial fishing and that effective monitoring and enforcement mechanisms are in place to prevent the return of pirate vessels. Sincerely, Other Officials to Contact: Soledad Alvear Jaime Campos Quiroga
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