MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine Fisheries Secretary speaks out.

The hake (Merluccius hubbsi) fishery is restricted to fresh fish vessels, at least to the north of parallel 48º, according to Argentine Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food.

In recent statements made to El Cronista, Antonio Berhongaray pointed out that freezer vessels can only operate south of parallel 48, and that these conditions will remain in place during the next year.

Mr Berhongaray also said he opposed the bill that proposes the creation of a fishing corridor in the Argentine Sea, between miles 170 and 200, where factory vessels would be allowed to fish. The bill has already been approved by Senate and is to be discussed by the House of Representatives.

According to the secretary, the creation of the mentioned corridor is only viable if consensus is reached among the five provinces composing the Federal Fisheries Council. It is known that Buenos Aires, where the port of Mar del Plata is located, has historically rejected the creation of that zone, acting in defence of its fleet of fresh fish vessels. Based on the above, Mr Berhongaray believes the bill "opposes what we have agreed with the Federal Fisheries Council."

When referring to the squid fishery, the secretary stated that the chartering system should be restricted as much as possible. According to him, "chartered" vessels generate too little activity in the country and consequently the system should only be applied if there is a surplus of resource. "We are trying to transform the trawler fleet into a jigging vessels' fleet. We have too many trawlers and very few jigging vessels. We are promoting that transformation," said Mr Berhongaray.

Finally, he added that his cabinet was putting special emphasis on the development of aquaculture projects involving both fresh water and marine species. As an example, he mentioned two important initiatives in this field: a Pescanova project for the culture of pink salmon in the Patagonia, and a pacu farming project recently launched by Rosamonte in the northern province of Misiones.

Source: FIS