MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina authorises squid fishery outside EEZ

The national fishing authorities have authorised the Argentine fleet to fish squid outside the 200 miles Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) beginning 15 December. The measure will last until mid February, when the vessels will be able to enter Argentine waters to continue squid fishery.

This measure will attract 65 out of the 100 vessels that make up the national fleet dedicated to squid fishery.

In a statement to Clarín, the Fisheries undersecretary, Gerardo Nieto, said that with effect from 15 December, an Argentine flagged fleet will also be catching squid outside the EEZ, an area filled with other flags fishing for the same resource.

The government believes that each vessel will be able to catch between 100 and 200 tonnes of squid. Around 12,000 tonnes can be caught beyond 201 miles from parallel 48 to the north.

This is an important amount considering that the last campaign ended with 150,000 tonnes caught, a much smaller volume than is usually extracted from the national fishing ground between February and September.

Regarding the state of Argentine hake, the Fisheries undersecretary said that studies are indicating an improvement in catch levels, although it is estimated that the 300,000 tonne quota for the area to the south of parallel 41, will not be fulfilled.

Nieto admitted that his department is having difficulties putting the individual quota system into effect. "Although we are committed to launching the system, we do not want to stipulate a due date. It is better to adjust to the Fishing Law. The idea is to launch it, and then adapt it along the way," he said.

Source FIS