MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine authorises shrimp fishing in territorial waters.

The Federal Fisheries Council (CFP) has authorised shrimp (Pleoticus muelleri) fishing for two weeks, under surveillance in the Argentine Sea. The decision was adopted unanimously last Thursday and will come into force on Monday, 19 July.

Now, after several weeks of inactivity, the beam trawler fleet will be able to operate in the area demarcated within parallel 44º 30' S and parallel 47º S, meridian 63º W and the provincial jurisdiction border of the coasts of Chubut and Santa Cruz. A 15- consecutive day period is authorised, as long as an inspector and observer are onboard.

Despite Fisheries authorities' doubts about how this would affect shrimp and hake hubbsi, a species currently banned in that area, the decision was taken unanimously in order to give an opportunity to ship owners to overcome their situation after being inactive for a long period.

The CFP consists of five representatives from the national government and five provincial representatives, one from each of the provinces that border the Argentine Sea. It also has an Honorary Advisory Council, including the various business chambers and unions associated with the fishing activity.

Members of the CFP discussed the shrimp issue at the headquarters of the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food, following a request by the Commission for Shrimp Monitoring, after the last survey carried out in the area confirmed it had experienced atypical environmental conditions, "which diminished its relevance."

Authorities are empowered to order the early closure of the fishery, if the data on shrimp and hake by-catch provided by the observers on board shows that this is necessary.

After 15 days of operation, the Commission for Monitoring Shrimp Performance in the Hake Ban Area will meet on 3 August, to "assess the results of the pilot run, and to analyse whether or not the fishing effort in the area should continue."(FIS)