MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

After the giant squid

A Spanish expedition began this week the “Kraken Project”, whose objective is discover and film for the first time ever an “Architeuthis” or giant squid that until now have only been found dead or in the imagination of brilliant writers such as Frenchman Jules Verne.

Actually the "Kraken project" is an attempt by a Spanish film producer to beat other prestigious competitors such as National Geographic, The Smithsonian Institute and BBC, in reaching the world's largest invertebrate that can weigh 1,000 kilos, have tentacles fifteen meters long and an eye the size of a watermelon. The expedition is sponsored by the Galicia Sea Museum, Madrid's National Science Institute, Higher Center of Scientific Research and the town council of Gijon.. The operation with an initial cost of a million Euros, two weeks duration will involve the oceanographic research vessel, "Investigador" and take place in the Cantabric Sea., in the Carrandi fishery. The Spanish navy will give logistic support. "Kraken" is a Norwegian word going back to the XVI century when these giant squids were described as "sea monsters". "I think we're going to be successful; while our competitors have tried to chase "kraken", we'll try to attract him", said Fernando Gonzalez Sitges, head of the operation. Three "attractions" will be put in motion: acoustic, organic (food) and luminosity, plus several cameras at different depths in an area some giant squids, with arms between 2 and five meters long, have surfaced in the past few years. Actually not so long ago giant squids have emerged washed ashore in Australia, United States and Spain, but always dead or dying. There are no records of these invertebrate in their natural habitat.

The sector continues improving

The fishing industry appears to be pulling through its bad patch with increased sectoral profits this year reflecting improved international prices and measures to make the fleet more efficient. According to a report in Estrategia newspaper, figures showing an increase in sectoral profits despite a near halving of export tonnage prove companies have become more efficient. Since 1993 to 2001, sectoral exports declined from 6.19 million tonnes to 3.18 million tonnes, but in spite of this decline, during the same period, exports increased from USD 1,171 million to USD 1,801 million. The improvements have been attributed to different reasons, including the allocation of quotas to individual shipowners that has led operational reorganisation. According to the Freedom and Development Institute, the restrictions encouraged the use of more efficient vessels and better technology to "improve the quality of the catches". Today, for example, almost 80 per cent of vessels have refrigerated holds compared with only 58 per cent in 2000. However, it is also said that the main reason for the increase is the higher volume of this year's catches and the rise in international prices. The view is shared by Sonapesca general manager Cristian Jara, who said that the price for fishmeal, an important income source for Chile, went from USD 482 per tonne to USD 628 per tonne in 2002. Corpesca general manager, Francisco Mujica, told Estrategia that for prosperity to continue, it is essential to have a stable regulatory environment. "A company cannot thrive on the idea of new rules being imposed every year because they operate in the long term", he said.

New biotechnology centre to contribute to aquaculture development

A USD 1.7 million Biotechnology Centre that will provide aquaculture research among its services is to be built at Concepción University, in Region VII. One of the main aims of the centre is to increase collaboration between scientists and businessmen on development of the region. It's aquaculture focus will specifically be on "genetically improving" species. Work will begin next March, with completion scheduled for the last quarter of 2003. Investment in technology for the centre is thought to be slightly above USD 2.8 million. The TodoChile bulletin reports that the centre will stand in 3,500 square metres, and will host 30 scientists from different disciplines, such as biology, chemistry and biochemistry. The centre will meet European standards, with the advise of engineers and architects from the Spanish Scientific Research Superior Council (CSIC). Concepción University's Regional Development Programme director Martín Zilic said in Panorama magazine that the new centre is seen as a meeting place for the public and private sectors and the universities. "We want our biotechnological centre to be the place where our scientists develop research lines that may be translated to actual businesses and new jobs, allowing a balanced development of the region". He highlighted that the centre will develop research lines in response to the need of the region's companies. He said that competitiveness abroad would follow co-operation between the public and private sectors and universities at home.