Smaller than the former version but with the same spirit - this is how we can describe this third version of the exhibition.
Either due to the global financial crisis or the country's fishing sector's instability, this year's event evidenced less expenditure. Also, exhibitors griped because of less visitors and a much smaller exhibition space added to other signs of a depressed economy passed on to the show.
Nevertheless, there was also positive news. Although a difficult feat, several exhibiting companies closed important business deals while others exhibited their new products to interested visitors. Also, there were several debates on how to face the current world financial situation and on the search for different alternatives for strengthening the national fishing sector.
Opening ceremony
The exhibition's opening ceremony was highlighted by a call for unity of the national fishing sector and its involvement with environmental care. This was presented by Chile's two main industrial fishing associations: the Bio Bio Industrial Fishing Association, ASIPES, and the National Fishing Society, Sonapesca.
The opening speech was delivered by ASIPES chairman Rodrigo Sarquis, who gave an in-depth view of the current economic situation both in Chile and in the whole world, saying that the fishing sector needs State support in order to face the current economic situation.
Mr Sarquis also highlighted the industry's evident interest in preserving the environment, especially the large industrial fishing companies.
The next speaker was the National Fishing Association chairman, Federico Silva, who declared that the manner in which the fishing activities are developed needs a radical change. “The sector must join forces in these moments of financial crisis and the industry must focus on its sustainability.
“We still have a long way to go, but we are heading in the right direction. The authorities cannot turn away from the development of fishing activities,” he concluded.
After Mr Silva ended his speech, undersecretary of Fisheries Jorge Chocair told the audience that for Chile the negotiations for forming the South Pacific Regional Fishing Organization (SPRFO) for guaranteeing the sustainability of jack mackerel stocks – Chile's main fishing resource - is the main objective at this moment. Mr Chocair called fishing companies to protect jobs and, like the two former speakers, called for “a unity concept” within the sector in order to overcome problems.
Following these three opening speeches, the authorities made the traditional tour of the show, visiting the exhibition's stands.
Protests
During the PescaSur 2009 opening ceremony a group of 11 Greenpeace activists entered the main Ceremony Hall and stood still in front of the podium. They wore T-shirts bearing legends accusing trawl fishing of destroying the marine ecosystem. They remained standing in the lower part of the ceremonial podium during the whole ceremony, and when it ended they displayed banners against trawl fishing.
After the ceremony, the activists were arrested without offering resistance and were dragged away into vans by the Chilean police. Another six Greenpeace activists who tried to climb onto the roof to display larger banners against trawl fishing were also arrested.
According to Samuel Leiva, Greenpeace Chile's campaign coordinator, the main objective of the protest at PescaSur 2009 was to draw the attention to their campaign requesting the suspension of trawl fishing in the country.
