MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina opens 90 day period for high seas squid

The Argentine Federal Fisheries Council (CFP) authorized vessels with valid Illex Argentinus squid permits to operate in the high seas, outside the Argentine exclusive economic zone (EEZ), during a 90-day period.

However, it was unanimously approved to delay authorization for squid fishing in the Argentine Sea for bare boat chartered squid jiggers, until the 2005 season.

CFP justified high seas catching arguing procedural delays to allocate fishing permits faced with the imminent beginning of the squid season. Once the established three month-period is over, vessel owners will have to comply with norms contemplated in the Deep Sea Fisheries Permits, passed by the CFP Resolution Nº 8/2004.

"For Argentina this is a strategic decision. We promote the Argentine presence outside the EEZ with the purpose of establishing a precedent and to dispel the illegal activity of foreign vessels (possible invasions)" an official CFP source told Pescare.

Regarding bare boat charter permits, which have caused disappointment in some industrial sectors, CFP members said they had taken into account a report from the National Institute for Fisheries Research and Development (INIDEP) plus the fact that more vessels will be operating this coming season compared to a year ago. They also pointed out that "the approved projects for these vessels represent the greatest commitment with onshore squid reprocessing and Argentine crew recruitment".

Representatives from the Chamber of Argentine Squid Jigger Owners (CAPA) stated their disapproval with this last decision saying it affects eight bare boat chartered vessels and causes serious problems to the sector.

Members of the CAPA, which groups most of the squid fishers, exporters and the Argentine-flagged squid jigger owners, lodged a complaint that "foreign interests have been favoured to the detriment of the national fishing industry."

Given the biomass crisis faced by the Illex squid, the national sector expected CFP to reduce the fishing effort and favour local industry. Last August INIDEP revealed Technical Report 70/04, referred to "2004 Illex argentinus Fishery", where it basically states that "2005 prospects are dreadful."

Early last June 2004, members of CFP decided to close the squid fishery north of parallel 44º S, following the scientific report drafted by researcher Norma Brunetti, head of INIDEP Squid Project. The report recommended "closure of the fishery ground as soon as possible" given the low volume of squid in the Argentine Sea (South western Atlantic). (FIS/MP).-