MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Fisheries News

Headlines:
Argentina rejects softening toothfish restrictions; Patagonian ports landed 260,000 tons; Peru looks to Galicia for fisheries joint-ventures.

Argentina rejects softening toothfish restrictions.

The Argentine Federal Fisheries Council (CFP) rejected a request submitted by the company Pescapuerta to do away with limits on Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) catches in Argentine waters. The company proposed the removal of the established 50 tonnes per vessel every 60 days and an increase in the admissible juvenile catch to 27%. The company's argument is that such a low catch increases fishery exploitation costs while considerably reducing the activity's profitability. Pescapuerta is headquartered in Puerto Madryn, in the southern province of Chubut, and is dedicated to seafood extraction and processing, with a freezer vessel fleet and an onshore processing plant. CFP members considered that given the fishery situation it is not advisable to abolish the restrictions imposed and unanimously decided to reject the petition and ratify the decisions included in CFP Resolution 35/04. The Patagonian toothfish maximum admissible catch in Argentine waters was set at 2,250 tonnes for this year including several provisional measures, among which a resolution issued in April 2004 which re-enforces the species' juveniles' protection. It establishes that the percentage should be targeted lower than 15% of total Patagonian toothfish catch when the total exceeds 3% of catches during the course one fishing journey at sea. (FIS/MP).-

Patagonian ports landed 260,000 tons

Patagonian ports received the bulk of Argentine fisheries catches during the first six months of 2004, according to the latest release from the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Office. Of the 469.018 tons total catch 55,3% was landed in Patagonian ports and the rest in Buenos Aires province ports, mainly Mar del Plata. The main Patagonian fisheries port is Puerto Madryn with 20% of landings equivalent to 93,000 tons followed by Ushuaia, 13,6%, which represent 63,000 tons. However the main port is Mar del Plata which managed 43% of the total tonnage. Common hake and polaca were the bulk of total catches, 52%, with important landing increased compared to last year, 31% and 20%. However compared to the same period in 2003 squid experienced a drop of 47%, Patagonian toothfish 36% and shrimp 21%.

Peru looks to Galicia for fisheries joint-ventures

On his return from Spain, after a six-day visit meeting with representatives from the fisheries sector to define bilateral cooperation policies, Peruvian Production minister defined Galicia as "Peru's strategic partner." Interviewed by Lima's main daily El Comercio, Minister Alfonso Velasquez said that his visit was focused on gathering support for the development of the Peruvian fisheries and aquaculture industries through joint investment with Galician companies. Mr. Velazquez highlighted the need to reorient industry towards the development of added-value goods such as canned and frozen products, and seeking alternatives to fishmeal production, of which Peru is the main world producer. "Galicia is the natural choice when it comes to finding a partner given the importance of the Spanish region in terms of fishing and its fleet operating throughout the whole world", indicated Mr. Velazquez. Mr. Velázquez also met with members of the Vigo Vessel Owners Cooperative, (ARVI), with whom he agreed to more flexible regulations and administrative procedures for the 22 Galician vessels operating in Peruvian waters. (FIS/MP).-