09 Jul Report reveals 32% fulfillment of Government commitments in Small-Scale Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Coastal Development
The Public Policy Observatory of the Millennium Institute for Coastal Socio-Ecology (SECOS) analyzed the level of fulfillment of 44 commitments made by the current government. Among the advances are initiatives related to the new SBAP law, the Benthic Law, the Quota Allocation Law, gender equity, and related activities. Meanwhile, most of the commitments (64%) are still in progress, particularly those related to the debate over a new Fisheries Law, the regulation of desalination plants, and concessions along the coastal zone.
With just eight months remaining in President Gabriel Boric’s term, the Public Policy Observatory of the Millennium Institute for Coastal Socio-Ecology (SECOS) has released the 2025 Compliance Report – President Gabriel Boric’s Commitments (2022–2026) in Small-Scale Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Coastal Development. The study assessed the fulfillment of 44 presidential commitments from March 2022 to June 2025, based on the government’s program and platform agreement, public addresses from 2022 to 2024, and other relevant policy documents, including commitments made to small-scale fishers’ organizations in June 2022.
“This study aims to create a tool for reviewing programmatic commitments and prioritizing and tracking the policy agenda in fisheries, aquaculture, and coastal development. It also seeks to identify opportunities for knowledge to inform the development of regulatory instruments related to these commitments,” explains Francisca Reyes, professor at the UC Institute for Sustainable Development and researcher at the Millennium Institute SECOS, where she leads the Science and Public Policy Unit.
Reyes also notes, “While just over one-third of the commitments can be evaluated as fulfilled, more than half are still in progress. Many are tied to the ongoing debate on the new General Fisheries Law, once again underscoring the importance of serious and coherent transitions between public administrations.”
To identify the relevant commitments, researchers reviewed President Gabriel Boric’s 2022–2026 government program, his annual public accounts, and other policy documents. The commitments were then classified into nine categories: socio-economic development; institutions and regulation; sustainability (resource quality/availability and biodiversity protection); climate change; infrastructure; management of hydrobiological resources; social development and gender; scientific research and development; and tourism.
Of the 44 commitments, 14 (32%) have been fulfilled, 28 (64%) are in progress, and 2 (4%) show no progress. Within the area of institutions and regulation, 19 commitments were identified: 9 fulfilled, 8 in progress, and 2 without progress. Among the key accomplishments is the presentation of the New General Fisheries Law (NLGP), built through a participatory process (“Fishing Dialogues”), which channels several of the pledged commitments. These include the modification of fishing quotas, addressed within this draft law and further developed in a separate bill (No. 17096-21) to redefine quota allocation between the artisanal and industrial fishing sectors. This period also saw the enactment of long-awaited regulatory frameworks, such as the SBAP Law (No. 21.600) and the Benthic Law (No. 21.651), both included in the government program and agreements with small-scale fishers.
On the international policy front, key developments include the Turquoise Foreign Policy framework, the ratification of the BBNJ Treaty (Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions), and the release of the National Oceanic Program, which operationalizes the goals set out in the National Ocean Policy adopted during Bachelet’s second term and published under President Piñera.
The report also highlights efforts to strengthen gender equity in small-scale fisheries, improve working conditions, and promote sector-wide participation. Notable achievements include the enactment of Laws No. 21.698 and No. 21.709, which establish gender approaches in the administration of fishing coves and representation in management committees, respectively. Additionally, the creation of the Registry of Related Activities (RAC) was advanced as part of implementing Law No. 21.370, which promotes gender equity in fisheries and aquaculture—passed during President Piñera’s second term.
In terms of implementation, the report notes the signing of a cooperation agreement between INDESPA and FOSIS to reduce gender gaps and boost entrepreneurship in gastronomy, tourism, crafts, and seafood product transformation. It also references the presentation of a bill to establish a formal contract for divers and related activities (Bill No. 17005-13), aimed at regulating underwater labor conditions and occupational safety under Chilean labor law.
Transitions Between Administrations
The report emphasizes that since 28 of the 44 commitments remain in progress, their transition across administrations should be seen not as a closure, but as a key opportunity to reflect on achievements, revise priorities, and ensure continuity in ongoing efforts.
“There are enabling conditions the next government must seize: recently enacted laws, ongoing participatory processes, active regional networks, organized communities, and international frameworks supporting the shift toward a more just and sustainable governance model. This report calls not only for follow-up on commitments in progress but for taking on the structural challenge of building a coastal and oceanic nation—where small-scale fisheries, artisanal aquaculture, and coastal territories are pillars of collective wellbeing, ecological sustainability, and social justice,” Reyes affirms.
In institutions and regulation, one pending commitment is the adjustment of the regulations for Law No. 20.249, which established Marine Coastal Areas for Indigenous Peoples (ECMPO). Recent steps include the publication of Resolution No. 2456-2024, which provides internal instructions for processing ECMPO applications in accordance with the Lafkenche Law, though this does not constitute an official regulation update. Other pending efforts include the full implementation of the SBAP Service and the approval of 37 new protected areas, 9 of which are marine ecosystems—such as Mar de Pisagua, Golfo de Tic Toc-Corcovado, and the Humboldt Archipelago.
Lastly, regarding infrastructure commitments, the report highlights the continuation of investments in coastal infrastructure. Of the 17 fishing coves announced in the 2022 Public Address, 9 have been completed, 4 are under construction, 2 are in bidding, and 2 are being prepared for bidding and technical approval. The government also completed construction on 9 additional coves inherited from the Piñera administration.
As of the report’s closing date, no progress has been made on the commitment to introduce a bill banning seabed mining in Chile. This remains a significant challenge, as deep-sea mining is a prominent international issue—closely linked to Chile’s aspirations to host the BBNJ Treaty’s secretariat in Valparaíso, and consistent with the country’s National Ocean Policy goals. On research and scientific development, the report notes that although the Ministry for Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation (CTCI) has increased its budget by 24.3% during this term, it still falls short of the government’s stated goal to double the budget to 1% of GDP.