The PRODESUR scandal provides a new chapter of accusations and counter-accusations . It reveals the political pressures, illegal practices, and influence of economic interests behind fisheries management in the southern region.
The Federal Fisheries Council (CFP) announced it will file a lawsuit for moral damages against Chinese businessman Liu Zhijiang, a naturalized Argentine citizen . This lawsuit stems from claims by his company, PRODESUR, over the allocation of fishing quotas and the magnate's allegations against the CFP for alleged bribes.
The owner of the vessel Tai An is not only accused of illegally capturing 175 tons of black hake in 2024 , but is also accused of extorting money from a public official.
The information comes from statements by the Secretary of Fisheries of Chubut Province, Andrés Arbeletche, who said that Liu tried to extort the National Undersecretary of Fisheries . " He effectively committed an extortionate act, calling the National Secretary of Fisheries and telling him that if they don't give me hake quotas, I'm going to file a criminal complaint against them, " Arbeletche said.
“ There were four companies that had quotas for black hake. One of them was PRODESUR SA, owned by this Chinese citizen Liu Zhijiang,” Arbeletche explained. “He sold his quota to a company called San Arawa, and three companies remain with quotas for black hake .”
" The Federal Fisheries Council is not here to discuss whether the operation was right or wrong, whether he was paid or not, that is for the courts to discuss ," the official argued.
He also stated that the businessman hired Fernando Burlando's law firm to stage a media and judicial spectacle . " He hired a lawyer who charges a fortune for a media spectacle, and the case has already been closed. As a result, he was sent a notice that has now been closed due to lack of merit ," he said regarding PRODESUR 's claim to acquire the fishing quotas he sold to San Arawa.
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