MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

La Nacion alerts about squid poaching.

The South Atlantic Illex squid fishery is increasingly threatened by tens of jiggers from all over the world, many of them waiting just outside the 200 miles Argentine EEZ, ready to break in and poach on the world's 80% reserve of the species, highlights Buenos Aires daily La Nacion in a strong editorial condemning illegal, undocumented, unregulated fishing.

"Illegal fishing is a serious threat to marine species exploitation because it erodes the effectiveness of conservation measures adopted by regional fisheries regulations, and furthermore represents a disloyal competition for the industry which must comply with strict international and national control, conservation and administration norms", claims La Nación.

The editorial recalls that according to the World Bank 2003 report on Development, 70% of world fisheries are over exploited with 34 sea species considered endangered and the Illex squid runs a similar risk as catches all over the globe dwindle and poachers attracted to the zone become bolder and bolder.

"Stopping poachers is not an easy job. Firstly they must be caught red-handed inside Argentina's 200 miles EEZ; pictures must be taken and then ordered to cease fishing and if they refuse, chased, arrested, the hold inspected and finally taken before a federal Court".

To put an end to this "systematic practice" the Argentine Navy and Coast Guard patrol with vessels and aircraft the areas of greater risk to protect the country's fisheries.

This situation in the world's most important fisheries has made the international community display considerable efforts with the purpose of making them sustainable.

"Governments, international and regional organizations are committed to the task of establishing and enforcing regulations to help manage fishing activities and ensure they are addressed in a sustainable manner", concludes La Nacion.