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A preventive inspection operation at the Chilota Bay connectivity pier led to the seizure of king crab and processed octopus, which were being transported irregularly aboard a connectivity ferry, as reported by the Maritime Authority.
The inspection was carried out by the Maritime Police of the Tierra del Fuego Port Captaincy, along with the K9 unit from the Punta Arenas Maritime Governorate, as part of efforts to protect fishery resources in the southern zone.
"Around 11:00 AM, the Maritime Police patrol began the inspection aboard the vessel with the support of the canine unit. After 1:45 PM, while checking the ferry's luggage hold, the dog gave a positive alert on a bag stored there," reported the Punta Arenas Maritime Governorate.
"After efforts to identify the owner of the luggage (without results), the patrol proceeded to open the bag in the presence of the first officer and the ship's captain. Inside, king crab and processed octopus were detected, after which the luggage was transferred to the Port Captaincy's facilities," it added.
Under the Fishing Law, the Maritime Authority seized the products by discovery and notified the Porvenir Civil and Guarantee Court and the Magallanes Health Service. "Once the corresponding sanitary resolution is received, the seized products will be destroyed," the entity specified.
In this regard, the Port Captain of Tierra del Fuego, First Lieutenant Litoral Francisco Morales, stated that "the Maritime Authority is constantly carrying out inspection and control operations, complying with established protocols, maintaining deployments, and contributing to the security of the Magallanes Chilean Antarctic Region."
It is worth mentioning that the Tierra del Fuego Port Captaincy also handed over the relevant information of a ferry passenger who was traveling with an outstanding arrest warrant, and who was subsequently arrested by the Investigative Police at the Tres Puentes terminal in Punta Arenas.
The Maritime Authority highlighted that these types of preventive operations aim to safeguard the sustainable exploitation of hydrobiological resources and ensure compliance with current regulations for the transport of seafood products in the region, effectively controlling the Strait of Magellan.
