MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

South Atlantic banned for Illex catching

The Argentine government made the ban on Illex squid catching official Sunday at 24:00 according to Decree 132/2005 published in the Federal Gazette.

Fishing of Illex Argentinus is banned for all type of vessels from parallel 44o 30' South beginning 0 hours April 11.

The decision was taken following a March 15 cruise report from the Mar del Plata based Fisheries Research and Development Institute, and a recommendation from the Federal Fisheries Council.

In both cases the insufficient squid biomass was considered as a threat for the fisheries long term sustainability and current recovery.

The Argentine ban means the South Atlantic EEZs are now banned for Illex squid catching since the Falkland Islands had already decided to anticipate the end of the season, but was waiting for the formality of a joint action.

Last year, following extremely poor catches, Argentina and Falkland Islands also decided to advance the closure of the Illex season.