2024-07-22 08:14:21
The Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments and Fisheries (MPCEIP), in coordination with the National Federation of Fishing Cooperatives of Ecuador (FENACOPEC), and with the support of the private sector, developed a tribute to representatives of the country’s fishing communities and associations, within the framework of the Ecuadorian Fishermen’s Day.
The event, which took place on the Malecón del Salado in Guayaquil, highlighted the importance of this sector as a driving force for the national economy, a source of food sovereignty, and a generator of employment and income for families dedicated to this work.
“The Vice Ministry of Aquaculture and Fisheries is committed to the fishing sector and each link in its value chain, regulating and strengthening its technical, operational and administrative capacities. With the quality of our products and our sustainable fishing practices, recognized nationally and internationally, we predict success and growth for every Ecuadorian dedicated to this noble work,” said Vice Minister Rafaela Hurtado in her speech.
Immediately afterwards, Mr. Andrés Eloy De La A Rodríguez was presented with the award for “Best Ecuadorian Fisherman.” “I am proud to be a fisherman, I have been doing this job since I was a child and you never stop learning. We are aware that our work provides a lot of support, but it also takes care of each of the species in the sea, so that future generations can enjoy everything that fishing offers us,” said De la A.
“Count on the artisanal fishing sector in the various actions, we have to go hand in hand, because the success of the authorities is the success of this important productive sector,” said Gabriela Cruz, president of Fenacopec.
The MPCEIP, through the Vice Ministry of Aquaculture and Fisheries, works with the fishing sector in each link of its value chain through four internal axes: regulation, organizational assistance, knowledge transfer and productive promotion.
So far in 2024, 1,648 artisanal fishermen have received around 60 technical assistance sessions. In addition, 2,233 permits were issued to active artisanal vessels, 2,147 permits to fishermen who carry out artisanal fishing activities; as well as 901 permits for traders of fishery products between wholesalers and retailers, which has allowed the regularization of the actors in the sector, in compliance with the public fisheries policy that seeks to mitigate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.