Chile sea bass increasingly scarce as nation's fish stocks become depleted

Santiago, Chile

THERE was a time when Francisco Zapata could bring in six tonnes of the much-prized Chilean sea bass in 24 hours. Last month it took him 10 days to catch two tonnes.

The fish, popular for its firm flesh in restaurants from Miami to Tokyo, is increasingly scarce off Chile's Pacific coast and Mr Zapata, 55, like many local fishermen, knows it's partly his fault.