MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Fisheries News

Headlines: Quotas south of parallel 41º remain unchanged; Advisory committee for Uruguayan fisheries; Over 60% of ex-Morocco fleet will remain active; Target: 20,000 tons of salmon.

Quotas south of parallel 41º remain unchanged

Argentine authorities are not planning to increase fishing quotas to the south of parallel 41º for this season, said Fisheries Department Undersecretary, Rubén Marziale. During a tour of the main fishing towns in Chubut province, in Argentine Patagonia, Mr. Marziale stressed that "for the time being, total allowable catches, TAC, cannot be increased" in the region. Despite calls from the sector to increase the volume, he said TAC would remain the same as last year, at 250,000 tonnes, until new scientific reports justify new limits. So far, "marine biological factors do not allow new fishing quotas," he added. Mr. Marziale anticipated that during the next fortnight there would be a new invitation to tender for restoring the fisheries satellite control system. "The lack of satellite control is draining public coffers", as "companies prefer to disregard controls and fish in ban zones", he told the newspaper Crónica. The new system would have similar applications to the satellite fisheries monitoring system Monpesat, which has not been operational for almost a year since the Argentine government failed to comply with agreed payments to the service providers. According to Marziale, once the system is restored, the authorities would have better surveillance and, therefore, more effective control over vessels that do not comply with regulations. According Chubut province press reports, during meetings between the authorities, businessmen and sector officials, local companies suggested the creation of a research centre to monitor fishery resources in this area, but it seems sector officials did not welcome this idea. (FIS/MP).-

Advisory committee for Uruguayan fisheries

Uruguay's Fisheries Department will have a new committee to advise on fisheries policy and regulations under the terms of an international Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing, which recommends that signatory countries include private participation in fisheries management and development. The Uruguayan National Directorate for Aquatic Resources (Dinara) created the new Aquatic Resources Advisory Committee, as part of the Fisheries Development Project that is based on studies carried out by Dinara and Infopesca. The committee will comprise representatives from industry, including vessel owners, fishing companies, fish farmers and coastal fishermen and will be chaired by Dinara's Director. One of the first items on the new advisory body's agenda is the amendment of Decree 149/97, which deals with the granting of fishing licences, fixing minimum sizes, and temporary closure of fisheries. One specific issue to be discussed is the transfer of fishing licences, which are currently temporary and have to be renewed every two years. All interested parties have until 4 April to make comments or suggestions on amendments to the Decree. These should be put in writing to Dinara, to be considered by the new advisory body. (FIS/MP).

Over 60% of ex-Morocco fleet will remain active

Most Spanish vessel owners stranded by the lack of a new fishing agreement with Morocco have decided not to claim EU funds to scrap their vessels. Galicia's fisheries councillor, Enrique López Veiga, said that 64% of the fleet - 36 of the 56 vessels - that fished in Moroccan waters will remain in service, including Brazil and Falklands in the South Atlantic. Twenty of the vessels will be involved in joint ventures, mainly with Moroccan companies, while the other 16 are continuing to fish under the Spanish flag in various fishing grounds around the world. For example, there are five working in Mauritania, another five have temporary permits in Peru, Chile, Mozambique, Falklands and Brazil, and three more were redeployed to long-line fishing. The 20 vessel owners who have decided to claim EU decommissioning funds are based in Ribeira and A Guarda, and their vessels are over 30 years old, according to López Veiga. Altogether 998 crew members, 323 of them from Galicia, Spain's main fishing region, were affected by the breakdown in negotiations which prevented a renewal of the fishing agreement with Morocco. The Spanish Marine Social Institute said 276 applications for financial aid had been received and it was unlikely there would be many more as the final date for applying is 31 March. (FIS/MP).-

Target: 20,000 tons of salmon

Magallanes Economy Secretary predicted that the region could be producing up to 20,000 tons of salmon in the next five years. Mr. Bernardo Troncoso said that taking full advantage of trade agreements with the European Union, United States and Asian countries, Magallanes region could rapidly jump "from the current 5,000 tons of 2002 to maybe 20,000 in five years". Mr. Troncoso's optimism is based on the fact that until 2001 local production was 3,000 tons and in one year, following carefully planned projects, environmentally friendly and sustainable, the volume jumped to 5,000 tons. "This figure could even be greater if some of the companies involved in the business acted with less caution and fully developed their potential", indicated Mr. Troncoso, adding that the investment promotion bills for Magallanes and Tierra del Fuego make these undertakings very attractive. Finally Mr. Troncoso pointed out that last year his office managed to convene a regional meeting of coastal fishermen, fish farmers and tourist operators, "so they could work out an agreement that made the three activities compatible and avoid problems in the maritime territory of Magallanes".