MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Fisheries security and sustainability must be top priority
Industry players say President Néstor Kirchner needs to recognise the industry's potential for helping the country to overcome its current socioeconomic crisis and for generating export revenue
Just like his Brazilian counterpart, Kirchner highlighted the fishing industry in his electoral platform describing it as an essential element for the country's socioeconomic development. He pledged to strengthen the industry in the main areas of activity, to support production and its related industries and services, and to improve the sustainable exploitation of fishery resources.
Industry sources say they are optimistic about Kirchner's proposals, although they warn that the sector needs to overcome the chronic problems it been suffering for years.
Daniel Badens of the Argentine Patagonian Shrimp Chamber (Calapa), which represents almost half of the shrimp fleet, says the authorities should first "guarantee legal security and sustainability of resources".
He told Ambito Financiero that another fundamental aspect was to have a totally autonomous agency responsible for fisheries management, rather than the current situation where the responsibilities of different government departments overlap.
Badens also said the government should apply the system of individual non-transferable quotas that the sector is clamouring for. "This may be our last chance to put the system into place," he said.
Enrique Díaz, of the reefer owner's organisation Capeca, agreed that the lack of legal security is one reason why there are shortcomings in fisheries management and a lack of investment, that prevent rational and sustainable exploitation of fishery resources.
"Like Kirchner, we also think fisheries have a substantial part to play in the country's socioeconomic development, especially where production and fishing related industries are based," Díaz told Ambito Financiero.
Buenaventura Lafuente Matos, of the Argentine Patagonian Fisheries Chamber (Capip), says the sector is pinning its hopes on the new government. "We know there are some officials who are well versed in fisheries matters," he said.
He told Ambito Financiero that Kirchner's platform was accurate in its reference to the need for reorganisation of fisheries management and raising the profile of the relevant agencies. In this new phase, the fishing industry should feature prominently given its impact on the economy, he added.
Many industry players agree with him that the individual non-transferable quota system must be implemented when the total catch quotas are set to facilitate standardisation within the industry, which can not be achieved by other means.
Although the names of the fisheries officials have not yet been released, industry sources say there are some highly competent people in Santa Cruz who could have an important role based on their experience and knowledge of the industry.
Source: FIS
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