The Maritime Zone Patrol Vessel (OPV) “Comandante Toro”, dependent on the First Naval Zone, carried out an Oceanic Fisheries Control Operation (OFPO) in the area of the Desventuradas Islands; which aims to safeguard maritime spaces of national responsibility and the protection of the biodiversity of the oceans, which includes marine parks and Marine Protected Areas.
The Unit was deployed together with aircraft dependent on the Naval Operations Command, carrying out an air-maritime exploration in the area, locating and delivering the exact position of the fishing boats, in order to obtain greater efficiency in the use of the means deployed. On this occasion, a helicopter (HH-50) was embarked, in addition to the action of an air-maritime exploration aircraft (P-3ACH Orion) that flew over the area of the Desventuradas Islands to monitor the fishing fleets that sail off jurisdictional waters, and that are in international transit.
In this regard, the Commander of the OPV, Frigate Captain Eduardo Moreno, indicated that, “We are developing an Oceanic Fisheries Inspection to the northwest of the Juan Fernández Archipelago, controlling the foreign fishing fleet that is in waters under the jurisdiction of the First Naval Zone, carrying out its transit northwards. The teamwork carried out with ships dependent on the Naval Aviation, not only contributes to the compliance by the State of Chile with current international treaties regarding fishing, but also helps the Institution to comply with the mission areas related to the preservation and security of maritime interests.”
A fleet of 13 fishing boats was found in the area, inspecting the vessels “Hong run – 76” and “Jin feng – 767”; without detecting any type of infraction.
It should be noted that the OFPOs carried out by the Chilean Navy are intended for the control of vessels in transit, inside and outside the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and control of illegal and unreported fishing, complying with international treaties, in addition to the maintenance of flora and fauna.