31 Mar Collaboration Between SECOS and SERNAPESCA Promotes Implementation of a Compliance Management Model for Fisheries Sustainability

A strategic workshop brought together scientists and fisheries authorities to design a model aimed at shifting punitive enforcement toward a compliance management approach. Focusing on education, community dialogue, and voluntary compliance, the primary goal is to protect marine ecosystems and their resources.

Non-compliance with fishing regulations is one of the main challenges to achieving the sustainability of marine fisheries. In Chile, limited enforcement capacity, the vast coastline, and the varied motivations behind non-compliance have led to exploring new ways to address noncomplience.

Under this framework and thanks to a collaboration agreement, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (SERNAPESCA) and the Millennium Institute for Coastal Socio-Ecology (SECOS), with support from the NGO Advanced Conservation Strategies, held the “Compliance Management Workshop: Challenges of an Institutional Management Approach” on March 19–20 in Valparaíso. The event brought together over 50 SERNAPESCA department heads and more than 200 online participants to reflect on the agency’s work, hear from national and international experts, and discuss next steps.

Rodrigo Oyanedel, a SECOS researcher and workshop organizer, emphasized the importance of this paradigm shift: “Currently, SERNAPESCA operates mainly under an enforcement model focused on surveillance and penalties. We want to help the agency transition to a broader model where education, facilitation, and strategies to promote voluntary compliance are just as relevant as enforcement. This workshop was a key opportunity to look ahead and jointly develop a clear roadmap for this process.”

Compliance management involves developing strategies that not only prevent regulatory noncomplience but also foster a culture of compliance through support programs, training, and assistance tools. On this matter, SERNAPESCA’s National Director, Soledad Tapia, highlighted the importance of strengthening this approach within the agency: “It’s not just about penalizing violators but helping sector stakeholders understand the importance of compliance and providing them with the tools to do so. For this, having clear compliance management and promotion strategies is essential.”

The workshop facilitated dialogue and collaboration between SERNAPESCA and SECOS, discussing past experiences and evidence-based methodologies to implement an efficient compliance management model tailored to Chile’s fishing sector. “Local knowledge, institutional expertise, and scientific—both biological and social—knowledge must interact to achieve more effective management. Co-producing knowledge is key, and this workshop has been a great example of how we can move forward together in this challenge,” emphasized Stefan Gelcich, SECOS Director and UC academic.

Beyond providing conceptual tools, the event helped establish concrete action plans for the coming months, with SECOS playing a key advisory role. “From science and interdisciplinarity, we can contribute to both the design and implementation of the model, ensuring it is based on evidence and past successes. The final destination matters, but so does how we get there,” added Oyanedel.

Finally, SERNAPESCA’s National Director appreciated SECOS’ support in this process: “Working with SECOS allows us to incorporate technology, study sector behavior, and design more effective compliance management strategies. This collaboration helps us develop lasting institutional tools to continuously improve our work.”

his workshop marks a milestone in modernizing fisheries enforcement in Chile, advancing a more comprehensive and collaborative vision to ensure the long-term sustainability of marine resources.