MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Fisheries News

Single flag for EU fisheries

A common flag for European Union fleets and a leading role for the Galician fleet was demanded by Galician government Fisheries Counselor, Enrique López Vega in an interview with Spanish financial magazine "Dinero" (Money). López Vega argued that the "great driving principles of the Community can easily be applied to the fishing industry and the Galicia has a prominent role to play since we're the most efficient". Regarding the lack of a fisheries agreement with Morocco that has left Spanish fishing vessels idle, Mr. López Vega indicated that "any moment now relations are back to normal and we will experience with mixed societies". "The right way to help coastal countries develop their fisheries is with investments and Galician expertise in managerial positions", added the Fisheries Counselor. Regarding aquaculture in Galicia, Mr. López Vega wasn't enthusiastic but said that the principles can be applied "making use of the sea given the fact Galicia has the right conditions for fisheries farming development".

Hake controversy

Buenos Aires province Fisheries Secretary Francisco Romano strongly questioned the recent ruling from the Argentine central government establishing strict management measures for hake resources (merluccis hubbsi) in the South Atlantic that will have a negative impact for the Mar del Plata trawler fleet. "This is totally discriminatory and was passed without consulting the government of the Buenos Aires province that has the largest fresh trawler fleet in the country", protested Mr. Romano. Last week Argentina's Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Miguel Paulón signed a bill limiting hake catches, --until June 30th.-- for the Mar del Plata fleet to 8,210 tons, "which means a drastic cut of 40% and a single monthly trip for each trawler", stressed Mr. Romano. The decision also contemplates 2,799 tons each for the provinces of Santa Cruz and Chubut. "We only found out later about the new ruling which was passed without consulting the Federal Fisheries Council and imposed unilaterally by the National Management of Fisheries and Aquaculture", blasted Mr. Romano. Apparently Buenos Aires province g