MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

San Matías gulf squid fishery opens 1 July.

The government of Río Negro province says the Argentine shortfin squid (Illex argentinus) season will open 1 July through 30 September.

The decision was based on research carried out during June by the Almirante Storni Institute of Marine and Fisheries Biology and by the National Institute for Fisheries Research and Development (Inidep), the results of which were described as very "encouraging" by the Río Negro Fisheries Director, Italo Sangiuliano .

The provincial executive will issue permits to four vessels belonging to companies based in Argentina, but he has also added a special clause for companies that acquired permits last year but did not achieve good results because it was such a poor season.

According to Article 2 of Regulation 460, published 18 June, any companies that were granted permits for 2002 will automatically be entitled to an identical number of permits as last year because of their low catch levels due to the shortage of squid last year.

The companies involved in this clause must confirm their intention to participate in the new season within five days of being notified by the Fisheries Directorate, which points out that this option "does not authorise the cessation of duties to third companies".

The fishery is only open to squid jiggers, as per FAO recommendations, because this is the most efficient gear for squid in terms of fishing performance and it also enables the fishermen to obtain a high quality and better value product.

Unless otherwise notified, the application period expires 12 days from the publication of the regulation, at 1:00 p.m.

The Río Negro government says that in the case of another poor squid season, the permits granted this year will be extended to cover the 2004 season.

Source: FIS