Samaki Consultores SpA
ES EN
Guide

What is an AMERB? A practical guide to Chile's benthic management areas

An AMERB (Área de Manejo y Explotación de Recursos Bentónicos, or Benthic Resource Management and Exploitation Area) is a defined stretch of the Chilean coast, within the zone reserved for artisanal fishing, that the State assigns to an artisanal fisher organization for the exclusive use of its benthic resources —such as sea urchin, loco or seaweed— under a management plan approved by the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Subpesca).

How an AMERB works

  • The area is established by decree and assigned to an artisanal fisher organization.
  • The organization must have a management plan approved by Subpesca resolution, defining the main species and management actions.
  • Inside the area, extractive activities are allowed and, if the plan authorizes them, aquaculture, seed collection, restocking and other management actions.
  • The organization must submit regular monitoring reports prepared by a registered executing institution (consultant); Subpesca reviews them and can amend the resolution, for example to add or remove main species.

Legal framework

AMERBs stem from Chile's General Fisheries and Aquaculture Law (Law 18,892) and are governed by its regulation (Supreme Decree 355 of 1995). Law 20,925 also created a bonus for seaweed restocking and farming, available to AMERB holders with those activities authorized in their management plan, among others.

Opportunities for organizations

  • Organize harvests and increase the biomass of the main species.
  • Diversify income with restocking and seaweed farming inside the area.
  • Apply for public artisanal-fisheries funding (e.g. INDESPA programs).
  • Build partnerships with companies and institutions on environmental-impact projects.

How Samaki helps

We support organizations on Chile's North-Central coast with area assessments, restocking and farming project design, and funding applications. See our artisanal fisheries consulting service or contact us to talk about your area.

See artisanal fisheries consulting →

Frequently asked questions

What does AMERB stand for?

Área de Manejo y Explotación de Recursos Bentónicos (Benthic Resource Management and Exploitation Area): a regime granting artisanal fisher organizations exclusive access to the seabed resources of a stretch of coast.

Who approves an AMERB management plan?

Chile's Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Subpesca), by resolution.

Can aquaculture be done inside an AMERB?

Yes, if the activity is authorized in the management plan. The regulation allows aquaculture, seed collection and other management actions.

Who prepares the monitoring reports?

A registered executing institution (consultant) prepares them for the organization holding the area, and they are submitted to Subpesca.

Sources

Updated October 18, 2026 · Samaki Consultores SpA

Have a project in mind?

Book a 30-minute call to assess your project's viability and next steps.

Let's talk →

or email us at contacto@samaki.cl

Other services

Artisanal fisheries consulting Macroalgae farming consulting Benthic restocking projects Aquaculture site assessment and technical design ESG, impact and blue carbon in aquaculture