MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Growing concern in Galicia with lack of squid.

The squid crisis in Falkland Islands' waters will affect directly on the Galician fleet operating in the region as well as have a great impact for the Galician industry since the region is a net importer of squid from the South Atlantic.

According to the latest information Illex squid catches in the South Atlantic have plummeted: in 2003 little more than 238,000 tonnes were caught against the almost 610,000 tonnes of 1999. So far this year, catches have barely reached 29,700 tonnes, indicate statistics provided by Argentine and Falklands governments.

The critical situation has lead Falkland's authorities to announce an early closure for the squid season beginning April 14. A similar decision is expected from Argentina any moment regarding activities to the south of 44ºS parallel, according to statements by Gerardo Nieto, Argentine Fisheries Undersecretary.

Official records show that during the first three months of 2004 the Argentine fleet caught just above 28,200 tonnes of squid, a significant drop from the 95,400 tonnes caught during the same period of 2003. The situation is not different in the Falklands where during the first quarter of 2004 only 1,500 tons or 10% of the catch average of recent years was extracted, when catches usually reach 150,000 tonnes. The closure of the fishing season in the Falklands' waters will have a direct impact on 14 Galician vessels and 560 crewmembers.

However and according to the president of Community Companies in Fishing Joint Ventures Association (ACEMIX), José Puerta Prado, the deep sea Galician fleet will remain in the area fishing with licenses for finfish and other species of lesser commercial value. (FIS/MP).-

Environmentalist warns about squid trawl in NZ

A plan to increase the squid trawl quota could lead to a dramatic increase in the number of seabird deaths, warns Forest and Bird from New Zealand. According to a researcher from the conservation organisation, Barry Weeber, the proposed 30% increase in the mainland squid trawl this year could result in an extra 400 to 750 albatross and petrel deaths this year, reports the daily Scoop.

Mr. Weeber believes that the NZ Ministry of Fisheries has failed to consider the impact of the proposed increase on seabirds and is calling on the government to review the proposal.

"The squid fishery has the highest kill rate for seabirds in trawl fisheries in New Zealand, with around 10 in every 100 trawls killing seabirds," he said.

The researcher also highlighted that the increase in squid quota would also lead to an increase in the deaths of fur seals and threatens basking sharks, which are listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. As the mainland squid trawl fishery covers most of NZ's exclusive economic zone, the Ministry of Fisheries would be unable to reduce effort in any particular area of the fishery once the quota had been increased.

This means that certain areas where the populations of seabirds, fur seals, and basking sharks are particularly prevalent would remain unprotected. The seabirds particularly at risk from this fishery include the white-capped albatross, the white-chinned petrel, the Buller's albatross, the Salvin's albatross, the southern royal albatross and the sooty shearwater, all of which are protected species under the NZ Wildlife Act. (FIS/MP).-