Area 87 (Pacific, Southeast)

Resource Description:

The swordfish (Xiphias gladius) is a highly migratory pelagic species found in tropical, subtropical, and temperate waters of all oceans and inland seas worldwide, except in polar regions. In Chile, it ranges from the northern limit of the country to about 40° South Latitude, associated with waters between 13°C and 24°C.

Fishery Description:

The swordfish fishery in Chile has traditionally been artisanal, with capture records available for over 60 years. Since 1986, there has been significant growth in the fishery, associated with the increase of the artisanal fleet and the introduction of gillnets, as well as the use of satellite imagery of sea surface temperature (Yañez et. al., 2014 ).

The fishery, conducted by the artisanal fleet, takes place from April to December, following the species' movement patterns. Access is controlled for new entrants, and there is regulation of fishing gear and equipment. Annual monitoring is carried out by the Institute for Fisheries Development (IFOP) through the “Monitoring Program of Major National Fisheries. Highly Migratory Resources with an Ecosystem Approach,” and is also monitored by the Scientific Technical Committee for highly migratory resources, chondrichthyes, and biodiversity.

For 2023, the Undersecretary of Fisheries and Aquaculture (SUBPESCA) determined its exploitation status as "Fully Exploited" (SUBPESCA, 2023), indicating it is in a healthy state, a situation that has persisted for over a decade. Recent research reveals that swordfish has high resilience, allowing it to be harvested without negatively impacting its sustainability (Wiff et. al, 2018). Additionally, indicators established by FishSource for this resource show values above 6, though they warn of high uncertainty in regional stock assessments due to its migratory condition, although all simulations show it to be above the suggested reference points.

Since 2021, there have been regulations regarding handling protocols and mitigation measures to reduce incidental capture of marine mammals in this fishery (SUBPESCA, 2021). Recently, SUBPESCA, in collaboration with the National Institute for Sustainable Development of Artisanal Fisheries and Small-Scale Aquaculture (INDESPA), has been developing a pilot project to equip the artisanal fleet with "pingers" devices to reduce incidental capture during fishing operations (INDESPA, 2025).

Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) fishing season in the Southeast Pacific runs from March through October, following the natural migration of the species from the southern to the northern waters of Chile. The fisheries handle approximately 7,000 metric tons of swordfish each season. The fish are caught using gillnets, which follow the regulation of Gillnets in the Swordfish Fishery (R. Nº 1307-08) and the Mitigation Measures and Handling Protocols for the Reduction of Incidental Marine Mammal Bycatch established by the government (Res. Ex. N° 3122-202). The nets can extend up to 2 kilometers in length. The fleet is artisanal, no larger than 18 meters, and typically spends 10 to 15 days at sea searching for the catch. Many vessels have ice-making machines to keep the swordfish fresh throughout the voyage.

The swordfish fishery is vital to Chile’s coastal communities. It benefits local economies, preserves cultural heritage, and provides essential jobs by maintaining traditional fishing practices passed down through generations; the fishery also plays a crucial role in preserving cultural traditions while offering the country a sustainable source of protein. The swordfish fishery is also a primary source of income for the fishermen, supporting hundreds of families. It fosters skill development, with seasoned fishermen passing their expertise on to the younger generation.

Beyond fishing, the industry creates hundreds of jobs in processing, logistics, and management. Workers acquire diverse skills across the value chain, contributing to the economic stability of local families and encouraging further investment and growth within the sector.

The swordfish fishery supports local families and drives further investment and growth across the sector. It sustains numerous businesses and creates employment opportunities for both men and women in fishing, processing, and related industries. International trade connects fishermen to global markets, enhancing their livelihoods. Strict regulations enforced by the Chilean Navy and the National Fisheries Authority (Sernapesca) have improved safety and working conditions, ensuring responsible and sustainable practices. Currently, all the scores for Management Quality and Stock Health on FishSource are ≥6

To further improve the swordfish fishery, we are committed to the following goals:

1. Strengthening stock assessments and monitoring.
2. Implementing and enforcing bycatch reduction measures.
3. Limiting fishing efforts.
4. Using ecosystem-based management to protect key species.
5. Enhancing international collaboration for regional oversight.
6. Increasing research on bycatch and ecosystem impacts.

These efforts will promote sustainability, benefiting both the community and the environment.

87Sur is a Chilean company specializing in producing and exporting premium seafood, primarily focusing on swordfish. Based in Coquimbo, Chile, we serve some of the most demanding global markets, including the USA, Canada, Italy, France, and Germany. The company is deeply committed to continuous improvement as a company and as part of the national swordfish fishery. We strive to find more efficient and environmentally responsible ways to support our community, ensuring that our operations meet market demands and safeguard the marine ecosystems we depend on.

Royal Greenland has partnered with CeDePesca to implement a FIP with the goal of improving the performance of the Chile Region XII Southern king crab (Lithodes santolla) fishery against Principle 1 of the MSC standard.                                                

The Southern king crab fishery in the Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica Region (Region XII) is the most significant in terms of Southern king crab landing volumes in Chile.  The fishery is located between parallels 48°36' S and 56°30' S and is conducted with pots/traps as fishing gear.  Landings in Chile Region XII represent around 75% of landings at the national level in the last few years. Since its onset in 1928, new fishing grounds have been continually added to the fishery throughout the region.

This Basic FIP will focus on the portion of the fleet that supplies Southern king crab to Royal Greenland.

The Chile Central-South Araucanian herring/common sardine and anchoveta fishery targets common sardine and anchovy in Regions V-X using purse seines. This is one of the most important fisheries in Chile, providing jobs for over 100,000 people and fishmeal for farmed salmon globally.  Key issues challenging this fishery include implementing an ecosystem-based approach to management as these are low trophic level species, assessing and mitigating bycatch, and reducing risk of IUU fishing.