MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Freezer vessels and fresh-fish operators' controversy.

Congressional representatives from the province of Buenos Aires expressed their opposition to freezer vessels operating north of parallel 48º, insisting governor Felipe Solá intercede before federal authorities to rectify the situation.

Legislators argue factory vessels threaten the sustainability of the hake (merluccis hubbsi) resource, while threatening coastal fishermen employment. Buenos Aires legislators approved a formal declaration rejecting activities in that area.

Representative Juan Novero who introduced the initiative believes "the large vessel fleets will force a collapse of the hake resource which will have a great social impact, particularly in Mar del Plata," one of the most active fresh-fish landing ports in Argentina.

Currently 36 freezer vessels operate under a 28,000-tonne hake catch quota, according to Resolution 4844/04 enacted by the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Fishery and Foods (SAGPyA).

Meanwhile the Chamber of Deep-Sea Vessels representing fresh fish operators, announced opposition to the appeal presented before the courts of provinces of Chubut, Rio Negro, and Tierra del Fuego by freezer vessels' organizations requesting to continue with their operations.

"Hake catches carried out under a constitutional appeal to the court constitutes a predatory move on the Argentine Sea", states a communiqué issued by the chamber of deep sea vessels. (FIS/MP).-