A group of angry fishermen blocked a larger ship in a dispute over declining stocks.

Enraged artisanal anglers were spotted barricading a huge watercraft from docking at the port as part of their protest against dwindling fish stocks, such as hake, in Valparaiso, Chile, on March 28.

Footage shows three fish trawlers in front of the vessel, preventing it from entering the port.

Fishermen have been protesting against delays in approving a new fishing law intended to replace the controversial Longueira Law and establish new resource access quotas.

The 2023 Oceana report stated that the region has been facing significant shortages of fish, impacting the livelihoods of local fishing communities.

Puerto Valparaiso's General Manager, Franco Gandolfo, said: 'Valparaiso's port is a crucial economic hub, employing over 1,800 people, with 74 per cent of the residents working in the area.'

On March 25, 2025, tensions escalated when a Senate commission postponed the vote on this legislation, leading to clashes between protesters and police outside Chile's National Congress.

Authorities used tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators attempting to enter the building, resulting in several arrests and injuries.

The proposed law aims to redistribute fishing quotas between artisanal and industrial fishers. Artisanal fishermen, who initially supported the legislation due to favourable allocations for species like hake and cuttlefish, were frustrated when the Senate introduced modifications that appeared to benefit large industrial fishing companies.

Union leaders have vowed to continue advocating for equitable fishing rights, emphasizing the importance of these resources to their communities and livelihoods.

The current Fisheries and Aquaculture Law, enacted in 2013 and known as the Longueira Law, has faced criticism for corruption and favouring industrial interests over artisanal and indigenous communities. Efforts to reform this legislation have been ongoing, with the government submitting a draft for a new fisheries law to Congress in January 2024. The proposed changes include reducing industrial fishing quotas and promoting sustainable practices.