MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina opens to ideas to improve hake conservation

Argentina's Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food (SAGP&A) is temporarily exempting the use of the selective fishing device (DEJUPA) for catching hake (Merluccius hubbsi) while other alternatives are proposed.

The exemption will remain in effect for 180 consecutive days as of Thursday but ship-owners must comply with the remaining obligations regarding hake fishing in Argentine waters. According to Resolution 78/2009, ship-owners and sector business chambers may present projects proposing the use of an alternative device that would allow hake juveniles to escape within the next 30 consecutive days. "The project submissions should feature a description of the designed device and a list of nominated vessels in which the device can be tested," reads the new rule published in the Official Bulletin. The National Directorate of Fisheries Coordination, a dependency from the Fisheries and Aquaculture Under-Secretary (SSP&A) is the entity in charge of receiving project submissions. Once the period established for the presentation of proposals has expired, the Directorate will remit them to the National Institute for Fisheries Research and Development (INIDEP). This agency will assess the submissions and test the devices it considers viable for 120 days running. The INIDEP will then issue a report on the aptitude of each device for selectively catching common hake. The report will guide the SSP&A in deciding whether the Dejupa should remain in use or be replaced with an alternative device. Meanwhile it was reported that 8.639 tons of hake were landed in Argentine maritime ports between 1 January and 5 February, according to official statistics. Of that volume, 8.517 tons were harvested south of Parallel 41º and the remainder (121 tons) to the north. In 2008 Argentine catches of hake totaled 261.963 tons, of which 198.714 tons south of Parallel 41º and the remaining (63.249 tons) to the north. (FIS/MP).-