MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Fisheries News.

Headlines:
Argentina opens squid fishery north of parallel 44°S; Galicia cautions about European alliances; Most Chilean salmon farms ignore labour regulations; Steady growth of fish consumption in Spain; EU reaches new fishery agreement with Madagascar; Galicia builds aquaculture centre in Namibia.

Argentina opens squid fishery north of parallel 44°S

Argentine fisheries authorities have authorised squid (Illex argentinus) fishing in the zone just north of parallel 44°S beginning April 20. Fisheries Under-Secretary Gerardo Nieto, signed the decree allowing jiggers to operate from Rawson in the province of Chubut, to the outer limit of the River Plate. The decision follows requests from the Squid Fishery Supervisory Commission to consider "different alternatives to minimise the socio-economic impact" on the sector caused by the squid fishing ban south of parallel 44°S and the poor results of the present season. Existent squid stocks north of parallel 44 "in fact are the same as those in the Common Fishery Zone (CFZ)", which was opened April 10 by the Argentine and Uruguayan Joint Technical Commission for the Maritime Front. In related news, the Argentine scientific research vessel Dr. Eduardo Holmberg belonging to the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute began squid surveying last week in the north Patagonia-Buenos Aires province zone, north of parallel 44°S until the beginning of May. The purpose of the scientific cruise is to assess the situation of squid pre-recruits in the South Atlantic. The data is vital for Fisheries authorities to make decisions guaranteeing sustainability of the resource. (FIS/MP).-

Galicia cautions about European alliances

Galician Fisheries Counsellor, Enrique López Veiga cautioned the new Spanish minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Elena Espinosa Mangada, --who took office last Sunday--, about the importance of preserving and looking after the alliances with other countries that depend on the fishing industry. Mr. López Veiga publicly expressed his recommendations during the opening of a fisheries conference organized by the Business School of the University of Vigo. "I am afraid that the new Constitution project supported by the French and the German may alter the conditions established by the Treaty of Nice, wherein Spain defended its fishing interests by blocking minority based on alliances," he said. Mr. Lopez Veiga recalled that since the treaty became effective January 1, 2003, "the European Union agreement, the European Communities constituent agreements, and certain associated acts have been modified." It's important to look after the bonds created since the foundation of the group called Friends of Fisheries, comprised of Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, France and Ireland, reports La Voz de Galicia. "It would be absurd to think that international affairs, depending on how they are carried out, will not affect the fishing activity," he said. The counsellor stated that he will soon request a meeting with Minister Espinosa, whom he considers a "reasonable and effective" person to offer his collaboration. "Galicia interests' demand that we get on well and I believe this is not the time for friction" he emphasized. (FIS/MP).-

Most Chilean salmon farms ignore labour regulations

Almost three quarters, (73%) of Chilean salmon farming companies ignore labour legislation claims the Director of Labour Affairs for the region of Los Lagos, Adriana Moreno. The alarmingly high rate is well above other industrial sectors and became evident in 2003 when governmental audited 214 salmon companies. Inspections were carried out in transportation, processing plants, food factories, vaccination centres, networks, and diving companies, among others. According to the regional newspaper El Llanquihue, the investigations indicated that the most frequent violations were related to hygiene and safety for the workforce. Chilean salmon aquaculture industry provides nearly 25,000 direct and between 20 and 25,000 indirect jobs. This makes it the leading employer in the south of Chile. As to abuses, Ms. Moreno admitted that "no one is or can be proud of these numbers". "We believe that we must address the issue vigorously with normal mechanisms plus greater social responsibility from the companies, workers rights, development of better work practices and safety measures" Ms. Moreno explained. However she also stressed that "we are inclined towards generating a self regulatory programme solve the problems and improve the conditions pointed out." "Sanctions are deterrents but we want a positive and immediate increase in labour standards, safety and concrete results such as maternity protection for mothers and pregnant women working in the salmon industry". (FIS/MP).-

Steady growth of fish consumption in Spain

Annual fish consumption per capita in Spain reached 36,5 kilos in 2003 according to a report drafted by the Nutritional Panel for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA). The increase responds mainly to a general tendency towards a Mediterranean diet The report also indicated that in 2003 spending on fish consumption totalled 9,504 billion Euros, which is 3.7% more than in 2002 with 9,163 billion Euros. This total includes household spending, 7,170 billion Euro and hotel and restaurant outlays for 2,334 billion Euros. As for fishery product values, the average price was EUR 6.35 per kilo, or 2.9% higher than in 2002, when the average was EUR 6.17 per kilo. Households preference is for fresh fish consumption totalling 553,65 million kilos. Frozen fish represented 130,85 million kilos; shellfish 306.44 million kilos valued at EUR 2,100.87 million, while canned products reached 157.65 million kilos, valued EUR 1,112.24 million. (FIS/MP).-

EU reaches new fishery agreement with Madagascar

The European Union agreed a new fishery protocol with Madagascar allowing 80 EU vessels, comprised of 40 seiners and 40 long-liners, to fish up to 11,000 tonnes of tuna in the eastern African country waters. In return EU will invest EUR 825,000 for the promotion of sustainable and responsible fishing in the country. The funding will be invested in various projects, including scientific research and industry training programmes. Monies will also be directed towards the development of the country's traditional fisheries plus helping to establish a control management system to boost the export sector and to strengthen the country's cooperation within the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, of which the EU is a member. These measures also include a vessel monitoring system, allowing authorities to continually monitor EU vessels operating in local waters. The proposal will take the form of a protocol running from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2006, and will replace the previous protocol, which expires next May 21. Although the two agreements are for the most part identical, with vessel owners continuing to pay EUR 25 per tonne of tuna caught the amount which Madagascar is to be paid in advance has increased under the new ruling. (FIS/MP).-

Galicia builds aquaculture centre in Namibia

The Continental Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture is to be inaugurated this week in Omahenene, Namibia, designed and built with funds from the Xunta of Galicia, Spain. Galician Minister of Fisheries Enrique López Veiga and an official delegation are expected in Namibia for the ceremonial opening. The pioneering design for the sustainable aquaculture centre received investments of EUR 838,000, focusing on sustainability using solar energy to breed juvenile catfish and tilapia. The centre is also equipped for technical training, reports MisPeces.com. According to Galician authorities the investment does not seek a financial profit, but rather to improve relations with the Namibian government. These gestures form part of a series of similar undertakings with several countries, including Argentina and Chile, involving important investments. This particular initiative will allow Namibia to develop its autochthonous aquaculture species. The cooperation, scientific, technical, and training project also has the support of the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and workers from all over Namibia will be participating in its activities. Since the aquaculture centre began test trials it has produced 100,000 juvenile catfish and tilapia under the supervision of two technicians trained in the Galician Aquaculture Training Institute. (FIS/MP).-