Published this Saturday, January 10th, on the specialized website FIS & SeafoodMediaGroup, César Lerena reveals - in the first of four articles - a scandalous conflict of interest : while Wöhler holds strategic positions at INIDEP, his children advise business chambers through the consulting firm "Resilience".

An X-ray of how ineptitude and endogamous ties deepen the colonized gaze and damage to sovereignty in the South Atlantic.

THE FULL COMPLAINT:

CONFLICT OF INTEREST, OVERPRICING AND CORRUPTION IN FISHING (Note 1/4)

In the fishing industry, it's difficult to determine where the State begins and where it ends. Perhaps this is because it's a State resource granted in concession to third parties, or because the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and the Federal Fisheries Council—despite what Law 24.922 states—lack clarity on who sets fisheries policy and who conducts research, and they seem to lack the resolve or capacity to manage the activity.

It could be due to incompetence; however, leaving the awarding and approval of the research vessel tender in favor of a Spanish shipyard—against all expert opinion—for $161 million, harming the public treasury and violating—given that these are state contributions to construction—Article 15 of Law 27,418 ( which I co-authored with Fabián Lugarini for the late Senator Pino Solanas ) and also Law 27,437, the "Buy Argentine" law, transferring scarce Argentine economic resources abroad and, moreover, and very importantly, disregarding Argentina's naval industrial capabilities, is a despicable act that the Justice system should investigate to determine if the individuals involved ( whom we will reveal in subsequent articles ) committed crimes against the public administration.

Even if corruption were not proven in the awarding of the contract (a matter that has been discussed), the damage to sovereignty, the national economy, technological development, and job creation is extremely serious. It is a crime that can be prosecuted by the state when—as experts affirm—the country has the capacity to build ships, even if it might resort to using foreign components, as other industries, such as the automotive industry, also do.

Furthermore, how can Argentina resort to Spanish shipyards when Galician vessels are plundering Argentine migratory resources on the high seas and in Argentine waters around the Malvina Islands? And how can this decision be left in the hands of an investigator and advisors of dubious impartiality? Is it ineptitude or other reasons to justify such imbecility? Lack of intelligence or corruption?    

We have had this issue on our agenda for years and, mistakenly, we relied on the complaints made in due course by experts; several directors of the national shipyards and unions in the sector; but, everything seems to remain the same, with incestuous ties and an INIDEP management where the elected official -like today's Lic. Gonzalo Bacigalupo- fails to comply with article 4 of Law 21,673 or , when it was in charge of a researcher -as happened in the years 2015/6- proved incapable of carrying out a comprehensive analysis when promoting the construction of ships for INIDEP; but, of course -for some reason- those who establish the policy were also absent; for example Juan A. López Casorla, who was already part of the Federal Fisheries Council in those years and, now being Undersecretary of Fisheries, appointed Otto Christian Wöhler Director of Research; who, at that time as Director of INIDEP, cheerfully recommended the construction in Spain of the research vessels “Victor Angelescu” and “Mar Argentino”, harming the entire national fishing and naval industry that contributes to the payment of his salaries from 1980 to date. 

Everything has its limits, and the trigger was an article signed by a consulting firm, operating under the fictitious name "Resilience," published in Revista Puerto on December 5, 2025, in which it refers to a " double standard regarding IUU fishing " in the European Union. We agree with this point, because days earlier we had written ( Perfil, November 27, 2025 ) that Vigo is the main European port for unloading illegally caught Argentine fish. However, for this consulting firm to offer an opinion on the matter and speak of a "double standard" went beyond what one can tolerate.

Firstly, we should mention that the aforementioned "Resilience" might have some connection to the Director of Research, Otto Christian Wöhler; since many officials envision a structure of this type for their retirement, taking advantage of the training and professional development they received free of charge from the State; but no, the fact is that his children, Otto Axel and Sofía Irina, are part of it, and it is very difficult to avoid incompatibilities or conflicts of interest between public and private activity in these cases.    

We were struck by the fact that the aforementioned statement was not signed by Otto Axel and Sofía Irina Wöhler, but rather by “Resilience,” as they are the brand owners. Both are professionals with little experience in environmental work; neither has any expertise in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), nor in the fishing industry. Forty or fifty years ago, it was common for companies to hire inexperienced personnel, who would then acquire that experience within the company. However, the situation for years now has demanded the development of a strategy or the immediate solution to problems, and companies cannot afford to wait for a learning process that is, moreover, incestuous. Therefore, it is surprising that, faced with such a chronic crisis in the fishing industry, for some strange reason, three important Fishing Chambers (CAPA, CEPA, CAPECA) require the “services” of two inexperienced individuals to represent them and defend their interests in a business that generates two billion dollars annually and depends on the macroeconomy and the international market. From national and provincial governments and their officials; from biology; climatology; fishing; withholdings, taxes, duties, and fees; services; production, industry, and of course, labor, where a dozen unions are involved. Just look at their income and the tasks they perform, and consider that in their short professional lives, they have only produced two reports, one of them on seismic surveys for the Argentine Chamber of Fishing Vessel Owners and Freezers (CAPECA). Although it is common knowledge in port circles that both reports received a little help from their boss, Otto Christian. But this doesn't reflect badly on those hired; it reflects badly on the business chambers, which are usually fair and persistent in their demands to the governments in power.

On one hand, the Argentine Squid Fishing Vessel Owners' Chamber (CAPA) hired Sofía Irina Wöhler (Monotributista, Cat. C, 30 years old; UNICEN, 2021); not as an expert in environmental management -the diploma does not presume skill- but as an administrative employee; In his only published work ( UNICEN, 9/27/2021 ), he wrote: “In one of the main economic activities carried out in fishing (…) the catch includes non-commercial species and/or sizes of fish that are generally discarded overboard , but also birds, mammals, and sea turtles (…) attracted by the waste and discards generated (…) there is deficient communication between business owners and captains (…) Difficulties on the part of business owners to control what happens on board the ship (…) Need to increase control procedures (…) the presence of observers is required …” (sic), mentioning that fishing business owners engage in several practices prohibited by Fisheries Law 24.922. This could be popularly called: “ the fish dies by its own mouth ” or “ sleeping with the enemy .” His opinions do the sector no favors, and then he represents them.

It did not go unnoticed during Sofía Irina's presentation at Public Hearing No. 1/24 (which Otto Axel Wöhler did not attend), where she introduced herself as the founder of “Resilience” and an environmental consultant and representative of CAPECA. She critically addressed the potential effects of seismic exploration on Patagonian toothfish, Patagonian toothfish, and Patagonian toothfish (coincidentally, the species of specialty of her father, Otto Christian). However, she omitted numerous species fished in the region and in the Malvina Islands, such as Argentine hake, southern hake, pollock, cod, notothenia, rays, and Illex and Loligo squid. The latter two, in particular, were highlighted due to their economic and biological importance, as international in-situ studies have proven their impact on seismic exploration. It is noteworthy that, representing a fishing chamber, he failed to raise other crucial concerns regarding the Environmental Impact Assessments conducted by Shell and Equinor. For example, the lack of studies in the area and the absence of financial compensation, which is standard practice under Norwegian law. Furthermore, he pointed out the practice of requiring approvals from a different agency rather than the central administration of INIDEP (National Institute for Fisheries Research and Development). His presentation was a superficial, general overview that should have focused on reviewing the flawed EIAs and ensuring the sustainability of a resource exploited prior to hydrocarbon extraction—a critical issue in this matter.       

For his part, the young lawyer Otto Axel Wöhler (registered as a self-employed worker, Category D, 32 years old, graduated in 2019) provides legal services to a well-known fishing company in Mar del Plata and, probably for this reason, was recently appointed President of the Council of Argentine Fishing Companies (CEPA). Therefore, it might not be politically correct to question the Spanish businessmen who fish in Argentine waters, or perhaps it would be difficult to separate his role as a lawyer, president of a fishing chamber, and environmental consultant from his direct connection to the National Director of Research at INIDEP, Otto Christian Wöhler. It is logical to assume that the latter must distance himself from the political, union, and business positions that align with his own. Official responsibility for ensuring the sustainability of resources. The conflict of interest law requires neutrality from those working in public offices.

Finally, the appointment of Otto Axel to CEPA is astonishing. From having a president of the stature of Oscar Ángel Fortunato (d. 2025), to an unknown lawyer. While "the fat one" wasn't exactly my favorite "Angel," he was very competent in the fishing sector; he held the most important positions in both the public and private sectors within the industry and had a deep understanding of fisheries management. I repeatedly opposed his fisheries policies; but, on this subject, he was an expert with the capacity to solidly represent the sector. The appointment of Otto Axel shows that real power no longer resides in the Chambers. Or can anyone imagine Tony Solimeno, or anyone else, etc., listening attentively to Otto Axel's fisheries strategy?        

Artificial Intelligence (AI) says: “Otto Christian Wöhler and Otto Axel Wöhler are not the same person, but they operate in interconnected circles.” What is common knowledge, the AI itself acknowledges. It also clarifies: “There are potential ethical risks: Public officials like Otto Christian Wöhler are subject to the Public Ethics Law (No. 25,188) and the Conflict of Interest Law (No. 25,964), which prohibit private activities that interfere with public duties, especially if they involve family members or generate favoritism. Furthermore, (it gives the example of) Resilience advising CAPECA, which finances campaigns for INIDEP, or providing privileged information to his son, potentially violating public confidentiality. These collaborations could be interpreted as nepotism, especially if INIDEP validates conclusions without open competition.” And it concludes, there is a potential conflict of interest. The risk lies in the perception of family favoritism that could escalate to an OA investigation if reported" (sic).

It is worth noting that “Resilience,” in its report, does not specify which illegal and/or unreported fishing (IUU) in the area adjacent to the EEZ it is referring to; it generically attributes it to “European countries” and omits illegal fishing in the Malvina Islands. Furthermore, it is well known that in the Southwest Atlantic, the only Europeans fishing are Spanish. The FAO and the National Audit Office have stated that 30% of catches are discarded, and to be clearer—though it would be inappropriate for CEPA to do so—this would also include the national fleet. The euphemism “IUU” fishing is nothing other than ILLEGAL FISHING. As are discards (Art. 21 Law 24.922), substitution or underreporting of landings, and other illegal practices.

Relying on the opinions of foreign NGOs—as the Wöhlers ' article suggests—deserves consideration. Argentinians' motivation regarding environmental issues shouldn't be based solely on foreign NGOs, many of which are funded by geopolitically interested third-party countries (as in the case of WCS in the "Blue Hole").

Our modest Center (CESPEL) has been denouncing illegal foreign fishing in the South Atlantic continuously since 1989; but illegal fishing didn't begin yesterday. From the 1960s and from 1978 to 1990, the Soviet fleet, and especially the Polish fleet, fished illegally. The belief that foreign opinions, services, and goods are superior is a colonized perspective that could lead to misguided decisions or acts of corruption. Therefore, we will analyze the case of the construction of vessels for the National Institute for Fisheries Research and Development (INIDEP) in Spain.

Otto Cristian Wöhler, PhD in Biological Sciences - according to several prominent figures - He would have been primarily responsible for the construction of research vessels in Spain (without his approval it wouldn't have been possible), dismissing the more beneficial option for Argentina of building them in a national public or private shipyard, or in partnership with other companies. This official, whose salary has been paid by all Argentinians since 1980, would have decided that all Argentinians should pay US$35 million to a Spanish shipyard, and we would have had to pay US$161 million had the construction of a third Ice-Class vessel, under study since 2019, not been cancelled.  

Wöhler has held institutional policy positions since 1980 and actively participated in governments ranging from populist to libertarian, including the current one. He is a Principal Investigator; from 2004 to 2006 he was Interim Director of INIDEP; from 2006 to 2009, Director of Research; in charge of the INIDEP Office from 2009 to 2012; and Director of Research from 2012 to 2015. He was promoted to Director of INIDEP in 2015 (during the period of the Angelescu research vessel acquisition) and served until 2018, when he was removed from the position and returned to his role as Principal Investigator until 2024. He was then reappointed Director of Research at INIDEP ( May 13, 2024, Resolution 86/24 ) and remains in that position to this day. He is a wanted official.

He was not a member of the CFP, but he participated in various committees related to political decisions, including quotas and regulations. This multifaceted agent, despite being a public official—according to documented information—maintained a private employment relationship and a business partnership.

In short, he held political and administrative positions in the governments of Néstor Kirchner, Cristina Fernández, Mauricio Macri, and Javier Milei; his current appointment was made possible with the support of Undersecretary of Fisheries López Cazorla. Political flexibility and well-established contacts with the press are key factors.   

Additionally, Wöhler arranged the agreement with the Prefecture to operate the research vessels instead of the civilian crew (a case in court, with two rulings in favor of the SiMaPe crew); distorting the police function, which should be focused on preventing and combating crime, and at the same time, incorporating security personnel into a civilian research environment, whose mere presence violates Article 13 of Law 24,922, which does not allow the disclosure to third parties of information that must be kept confidential from the INIDEP authorities until its review and approval.

We will delve deeper in the next article (2/4) into the actors involved in the construction of research vessels in Spain. We will examine the role of Otto Christian Wöhler and a dozen other individuals in the awarding and contracting of the research vessels “Víctor Angelescu” and “Mar Argentino,” built in Armón (Vigo), and in the failed attempt to build a third oceanographic vessel with Ice-Class capabilities.

FIS & SeafoodMediaGroup, January 10, 2026

Dr. César Augusto Lerena

South Atlantic and Fisheries Expert – Former Secretary of State.

President of the Center for Latin American Fisheries Studies

cesarlerena.com.ar