MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Lan Chile expansion plan. Controversy over squid licensing.

Controversy over squid licensing

An alleged licensing of Japanese vessels in Argentine South Atlantic waters has turned into a direct confrontation between the Secretary of Agiculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food, Mr. Marcelo Regúnada and his Deputy Igancio Melgarejo. In the latest of an unfolding event Mr. Regúnada denied any agreement to allow Japanese jiggers in Argentine waters, but admitted that talks have taken place and both sides have expressed their positions in an official document. According to a previous claim by Mr. Melgarejo, Mr. Regúnada will be granting licences to 25 Japanese vessels under the "chartering" system to catch squid next season. The operation involves five million US dollars. Mr. Melgarejo also complained he was not consulted about the deal. However Mr. Regúnada pointed out that Mr. Melgarejo was well aware that a delegation from Japan's Fisheries Agency was in Argentina, and added that during discussions, "Mr. Melgarejo was very much involved in political campaigning, particularly in the south of Argentina". Apparently Mr. Melgarejo also missed another important event because of politics: meeting with European Union Fisheries Commissioner when he recently visited Argentina. When asked by journalists, Mr. Regúnada denied that he had asked Undersecretary Melgarejo to resign following his public statements. However industry sources indicated that "the situation is unsustainable in the near future" since Mr. Melgarejo including suggestions of "special favours for government officials involved in the operation".

Japan blasts poaching

Japan proposed the creation of an international legal framework to abolish illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing vessels. The proposal was made public during the recent meeting in Paris of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD, adding that all exporting and importing countries should be involved. OECD Fisheries Committee also addressed the following issues, "Fisheries management regime and costs"; "Market liberalisation and resource management" and "Sustainable fisheries and indicators of fisheries regions". Japan's proposal will be included in the Fisheries Comm