Venezuela to Seize 30 Trawling Vessels After Ban (Update1)

By Steven Bodzin

March 15 (Bloomberg) -- Venezuela, which banned trawl- fishing yesterday, will take over 30 trawlers and donate them to Pescera de Alba, a joint venture with Cuba, for other uses, Food and Agriculture Minister Elias Jaua said.

“Excellent recommendation,” President Hugo Chavez said on his weekly television address, as supporters, including a group of fishermen who use smaller boats, chanted their approval.

Venezuela yesterday became the first country in Latin America to ban trawling in waters under its control. The practice hurts fisheries and small fishermen, Chavez said today. Seventy percent of the country’s fish are provided by small fishermen, while trawlers mostly catch shrimp for export, he said.

Chavez also signed a measure to buy and scrap trawlers deemed unfit for navigation. There were 248 trawlers operating in the country with 6,500 workers, the Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela, daily newspaper El Tiempo reported today.

Ten boat-owners accepted a government offer for conversion to other types of fishing, Jaua said. The remaining 30 trawlers that meet maritime standards will be taken by the government.

Chavez said he wants to double or triple Venezuela’s consumption of fish because it is healthier than red meat.

To contact the reporter on this story: Steven Bodzin in Caracas at sbodzin@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: March 15, 2009 16:26 EDT