MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine squid industry demands “sustainability” actions

Low catches obtained during last season together with dismal results during the last exploratory survey undertaken north of parallel 44° South have prompted the Argentine Chamber of Squid Jigger Vessel Owners (CAPA) to declare a state of alert in the sector.

After an in-depth analysis of the situation in the last plenary sessions of the association held in Buenos Aires March 12, CAPA concluded that the squid jigger fleet "is over-sized." Companies belonging to CAPA also agreed to demand "sustainability measures" from the government for this important fishery.

Among the measures requested is continuous biomass prospecting with observers on board squid jiggers, as well as the implementation of mobile bans. CAPA believes in-depth studies and research should be undertaken and demand "a major effort from the National Institute for Fishery Research and Development (INIDEP)" with active participation from companies involved in the squid fishery.

"The situation is aggravated when low catch levels are diminished because of excess catches, coupled with labour problems and lack of financing. The matter of fleet size therefore becomes of vital importance for the sector", according to a report drafted after the plenary sessions.

Companies also point out that another critical issue has been the broad variation in registered catch volumes during the last seasons, recognizing that sustainability of squid extraction is directly linked to its availability.

Vessel owners underline that INIDEPs surveys which ended last week, confirm "the dire emergency situation in which the sector is immersed". Squid jiggers have selective catch capability because squid is the only resource and the fishery is completely seasonal.

The Argentine squid industry has been suffering for the last three years, with seasons ending with anticipation because of resource scarcity. Last year the impact of poor catches extended to the north with a considerable number of jiggers having to remain in port from early on in the season. (FIS/MP).-