MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Fisheries News

Headlines:
Vessel owners accuse Argentina of discrimination,Good prospects for San Matías squid ,Argentine fisheries exports up 21%.

Vessel owners accuse Argentina of discrimination

Vessel owners have denounced Argentina 's decision to ban nine reefers from the hake fishery to the north of parallel 48º S as a "clear case of discrimination." José Antonio Suárez Llanos, spokesman for the National Association of Reefer Owners (Anamer) says the decision is extremely damaging for the hake fleet operating in that area. And he is calling on the Spanish government to "do everything in its power to defend the countries fishing interests in Argentina because there are more obstacles every day." He told Efeagro that hake stocks "are not in a bad state", despite the fact that emergency measures were introduced in 1999 to allow stocks to recover after studies suggested they were on the verge of collapse. Pescapuerta Group vice-president José Puerta said the latest setback merely left the fleet in the same position it was in 15 days ago. He also told La Voz de Galicia that the company was considering an appeal against the ruling. But executives from the company Iberconsa Argentina said they feared the judgement would set a precedent, preventing any further appeals. As reported by FIS.com (see World News, 21 May), the Fisheries Director, Nélida Videla, instructed the Coast Guard (PNA) to order the nine reefers to move south of parallel 48ºS, or risk being sent back to port. The message was relayed to the vessels by radio, and they all complied without the need for any further intervention. The reefers belong to Spanish-Argentinian joint ventures involving the companies Pescapuerta Argentina , Pescamellino Puerta, Pesquera Puertamellino, Pescargen, and also to Harengus, the only wholly Argentinian venture.

Argentine fisheries exports up 21%

Argentine seafood exports totalled 105,460 tonnes, worth more than USD 137.65 million, in the first quarter this year. These figures show a 33% increase in volume and a 21% rise in value compared to the same period last year, when exports totalled 79,293 tonnes worth just over USD 113.69 million, reports the Ministry of Production. According to the National Food Health and Quality Service (Senasa), the main export markets in the January-April period were Spain - with 24,806 tonnes worth USD 39.22 million Brazil - with 16,869 tonnes worth USD 19.50 million, United States - with 7,751 tonnes worth just under USD 14.32 million, Italy - with 5,988 tonnes worth just under USD 9 million, and Holland - with 5,959 tonnes worth USD 6.34 million During this period fishery products were also exported to Germany - 5,726 tonnes, Colombia - 5,004 tonnes, Poland - 4,701 tonnes, Uruguay -3,481 tonnes, Israel - 3,050 tonnes, France - 2,688 tonnes, and Japan - 2,657 tonnes, among other destinations. (FIS/MP).-

Good prospects for San Matías squid

Catches of Argentine shortfin squid (Illex argentinus) in the San Matías Gulf in Patagonia have increased substantially in the last two months prompting local authorities to reopen the fishery to jiggers. Río Negro province Fisheries Director Italo Sangiuliano said the administrative procedure would begin as soon as possible although current regulations prevent this taking before the end of May As stocks were so low during last season, authorities extended fishing permits to cover this season, as is common practice in other countries for species that have an annual cycle, said Sangiuliano. An additional four permits for this year are open to public tender. The province's Institute of Marine Biology and Fisheries confirmed the catch data and said that since March there had been "a significant presence of squid" in the trawler fleet's catches and that the biomass appeared to be "denser than normal" for this time of year. Following last year's dismal catches, the authorities believe the sector will recover this year. According to a report in Diario de Río Negro, Sangiuliano said prospects for the coming season are far more promising than last year when the two jiggers operating in the Gulf caught next to nothing However the squid season is not looking as good elsewhere in the South Atlantic. During week 19, catches dropped considerably in the Southern Management Unit - within the EEZ - and beyond the 200 mile EEZ. Licenced companies for the second phase of the 2003 harvest in the Northern Management Unit, which was opened on May 1, said the total squid catch during the first few days was less than 100 tonnes. Although official figures on the first phase of the harvest have not yet been released, sector sources estimate the total to be around 80,000 tonnes - down 13% on last year and down 36% on the same period in 2001. (FIS/MP).-