Artisanal fishermen from Valparaíso, Talcahuano, Ancud, Puerto Montt, San Vicente, Coronel and Quellón, among other towns, held barricades and lit bonfires on Tuesday in the main ports of the country to protest against the new General Fisheries Act, which is being processed in the National Congress.

The sector argues that the legislation restricts their fishing quotas but extends those belonging to large companies.

It is likely that on Wednesday in the House of Representatives, deputies will vote for or against the Act.

As part of the protests, fishermen clashed with police and there were several arrests.

In Valparaíso, 120 kilometers west of the Chilean capital, protesters blocked the underground way so the police used tear gas and fire hydrant vehicles to make them leave the area, the BBC reported.

Meanwhile, in Quellón (Chiloé), fishermen blocked two docks and in Coronel the port block was held.

Moreover, in Coronel ship-owners anchored their fishing vessels forming a barrier hampering the entrance of merchant vessels, Radio Santiago reported.

In this context, the head of the Undersecretariat of Fisheries (Subpesca), Pablo Galilea, invited artisanal fishermen to discuss the Fisheries Act.