MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina's fisheries “dissuasion” policy

In coincidence with the South Atlantic fisheries talks scheduled to begin this Thursday in Buenos Aires, the Argentine government leaked to the local press that it has reinforced its fisheries patrolling policy with the purpose of “dissuading” the 300 jiggers operating in the high seas.

According to Infobae, an Argentine internet agency, the Argentine Navy will now assign three corvettes, two smaller versatile vessels and several aircraft to increase patrolling in the South Atlantic, particularly at the 200 miles Argentine EEZ limit in the 48th South parallel and so dissuade the high seas jiggers that beginning December 15th come flocking after the "Argentine Sea" Illex squid.

Besides, Argentine jiggers "will be incentivated to operate in the EEZ 200 mile boundary area, contrary to previous years when they stayed behind the 150 miles mark".

Further on the article that depicts the Falklands as the South Atlantic villains because every year they collect "19,8 million US dollars in fishing licences", identifies the 300 high seas jiggers as belonging mostly to "Asian, Spanish and British" companies.

"These 300 foreign jiggers operate in the high seas and pay no licence, and are the same that purchase licences sold unilaterally by the kelpers ensuring them an annual income of 19,8 million US dollars".

"With all this adjacent (naval) logistics the Argentine government is sending clear signals as to with whom they must negotiate the purchase of fishing licences", points out the article adding that the 300 high seas jiggers operating in the "Argentine Sea" are the same that beginning February sail to the Falklands to keep on with their catches.

The vessels involved in the "dissuasion" operation are based in Mar del Plata while the aircraft, (Beechcraft B-200 M Super King and Lockheed P-3B Orion) in Trelew.

Apparently the source of the information is Gerardo Nieto, Agriculture Undersecretary and head of Fisheries Department, former Santa Cruz Fisheries Secretary when president Nestor Kirchner was governor of the province.

Mr. Nieto is mentioned several times in the article but never quoted directly.

For "Jack Straw's envoys the South Atlantic Fisheries round is a mere technical mission to discuss fisheries conservation", but for Argentine Foreign Secretary Rafael Bielsa and his team an opportunity "to put pressure on the kelpers" concludes the Infobae piece.