MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Fisheries: Breaking News

Headlines:
Argentina's 2005 toothfish quota: 1,237 tons; January-May exports total 360 million US dollars; EU Parliament votes to upgrade fleet; Scientists object to salmon farms in Patagonian fiords; Brazil concerned with “exhaustion” of sardine resources; EU reduces tariffs on Argentine hake and squid imports.

Argentina's 2005 toothfish quota: 1,237 tons

Argentina's Undersecretary of Fisheries announced the 2005 season catch quotas for Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) totalling 1,237.51 tonnes. Companies allocations are as follows: company ASC South America with three longliners was awarded a quota of 713,12 tonnes; Empresa Pesquera de la Patagonia y la Antártida 147,17 tonnes; Explotación Pesquera de la Patagonia 150.6 tons and Argenova's three vessels 226.62 tons. Catch volumes allotted to each vessel can be transferred to another vessel belonging to the same company or business group, provided that the transfer is previously requested to the National Fishing Coordination Directorate. According to Argentine official sources 90% of the Patagonian toothfish catches are destined to the international market, particularly United States and Japan, where it can reach 35 US dollars per kilogram. (FIS/MP).-

January-May exports total 360 million US dollars

Argentina's National Statistics and Census Institute (INDEC) reported that in the first five months of 2005, processed and frozen fish and shellfish exports climbed to 360 million US dollars, a slight increase over the same period in 2004. However fisheries overseas sales during last May reached 62 million US dollars, a 41% increase compared to May 2004. Exports during the first five months of 2005 of frozen fish and shellfish were 220 million US dollars, 1% increase over the 218 million of the same period in 2004. Fresh fish and shellfish exports remained unchanged at 31 million US dollars. Shrimp and prawns exports totalled 10 million US dollars last May, and 54 million in the first five months of 2005, a 50 million US dollars drop compared to January?May 2004. (FIS/MP).-

EU Parliament votes to upgrade fleet

The European Parliament (EP) plenary backed a proposal to finance the renovation and modernization of the fishing fleet with the new European Fisheries Fund (EFF), effective from 2007 until 2013. The new EFF will be granted 4,963 million Euros to be spent over the five-year period beginning 2007, 75% will be targeted to both regions of "convergence" and those impacted by "statistical effect". This will prevent the loss of aid to many of the zones in the older Member States, reports Europa Press agency. During the parliamentary consideration EU MPs supported the conservation of fishing resources; although they also pointed out that it is necessary to consider the socio-economic impact of the reorganization of the fleet. One of the amendments introduced contemplates granting special funds for crewmembers that have been left redundant. Younger crewmembers, below 35, who can give evidence of at least five years in the industry or equivalent academic background, or have become first time associates in second hand fishing vessels' will be extended soft loans. "We Socialists are reasonably satisfied with the approved text, which represents a good summary of our objectives and has had the support of all political groups" Spanish Euro MP Rosa Míguélez pointed out. However the amendments introduced before finally incorporated must be passed by the European Council of Fisheries Ministers. (FIS/MP).-

Scientists object to salmon farms in Patagonian fiords

A group of Chilean scientists from the Foundation Huinay, based in the town of Hualaihue, on continental Chiloé, oppose the thriving country's salmon industry from expanding operations into the Patagonian fiords region claiming it would significantly alter local ecosystems. Scientists claim this area of southern Chile possesses a unique, though barely researched, and highly vulnerable biodiversity. According to information provided by Ecocéanos, the Huinay Foundation has focused its attention on marine life in the Comau and Riñihue fiords, which are characterised by a great influence of fresh water. Actually corals and other species believed incapable of living in the region's cold waters have been found. Scientists point out that in spite of the fact that since 2002 there's a 15-km protected sector in the Huinay region authorities have continued to grant concessions for fish farming in the vicinity. The Huinay Foundation has requested, on several occasions, that Chile's National Environment Commission (CONAMA) set aside an exclusive area for scientific research, including the Comau and Riñihue fiords. Günter Försterra, the entity's scientific coordinator, says the solution would be zoning both fiords areas and its nearby regions, setting specific locations for salmon activity, artisanal fisheries, and the scientific research, particularly since the main problem is the lack of reliable scientific data of the area. "With the extremely rapid growth of the economy and the use of the sea, chiefly for salmon farming, it's generating a strong impact on the environment and we don't have sufficient information to ensure a sustainable management". "There are places for salmon farming where the activity impact causes less damage and there are techniques that can minimise these impacts. It is necessary to define how many salmon farming centers a given area can withstand. But this has to be done before, not after expansion, which is the current problem," highlighted Försterra. (FIS/MP)

Brazil concerned with "exhaustion" of sardine resources

The significant drop in round sardinella (Sardinella aurita) catches registered during recent years has forced Brazilian authorities from the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources Institute (IBAMA) to create a management committee to guarantee the resources sustainability. The annual catch of sardinella which in the seventies reached 230,000 tonnes, today barely totals 45,000 tonnes forcing Brazil to import to supply the cannery industry. According to official sources, sardinella is one of the country's most consumed seafood products, and the choice of low income families given its accessible cost. IBAMA, the ministries of Environment; Development, Industry and Commerce; Labour and Employment; the Aquaculture and Fisheries Department (SEAP); the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Pastoral Council; the Fisheries and Ports Aquatic and Air Transport Workers' Confederation; of Fishing industries' union, and non-governmental organizations will formally be represented in the Sardinella Sustainable Use Management Committee created July 7 in Brasilia. The committee, coordinated by the Directorate of Fishing, Fauna, and Resources, is aimed at ensuring the sustainabily of sardinella in the states of Rio de Janeiro, San Pablo, Parana and Santa Catarina and the main challenge is how to address over-fishing. "Excessive fishing is leading to the exhaustion of resources along the Brazilian coastline. If sectors involved in the sardine fishery industry do not react immediately with effective measures, the resource is likely to disappear from Brazilians' tables" warned the head of the IBAMA Fishing Fauna and Resources, RÃÂÂ'mulo Mello. Sardinella follows recovery cycles, but the rebounds are becoming slower and less productive. The situation is clearly indicating "an exhaustion of stocks". (FIS/MP).-

EU reduces tariffs on Argentine hake and squid imports

The European Union decision to reduce tariffs on Argentine seafood imports including common hake and squid was praised by the country's Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food (SAGPyA). The decision by the 25 EU Member States "puts an end to the uncertainty over the recent expiration of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) in the European market", said SAGPyA authorities in an official release. The new GSP enforcement rules will be in force from January 2006 through 31 December 2008. They will include two of Argentina's main fisheries exports excluded from the previous preferences system, common hake (Merluccius hubbsi) and squid (Illex argentinus). However the new rules maintain the "sensitivity" criterion for products favoured with a 3.5 point reduction in "ad valorem duties", to be deduced from the tariff rate imposed on the remaining "non-sensitive" imports. "If a 10% tariff is slapped on a product, under the new GSP it will be subject to a 6.5% tariff" explained Argentine authorities. The release highlights that this is the "result of joint initiatives of government officials and entrepreneurs from the private sector" who have been working for months with experts in EU trade policies. In related news the European Union (EU) confirmed approval of Argentina's fisheries industry sanitary and control systems, following an in depth assessment last March. The announcement was made official this week by the country's National Food Health and Quality Service (SENASA). Last March 1 to 11 a team of European experts inspected landing facilities, transport, and processing conditions of Argentine fisheries export products to EU markets in the cities of Mar del Plata, San Antonio Oeste, and Puerto Madryn. A preliminary finding had shown problems with fisheries products certification and deficiencies in the information system between SENASA headquarter and delegations. However SENASA officials indicated that the critical points "involved administrative flaws and not, as said back then, with failures in sanitary aspects". "The final report does not include any precise issues for any particular port visited, or for the manner in which raw materials are handled in fishery plants", added SENASA's officials. "Our objective is to be better prepared for the next visit, which very likely will take place in March 2006". (FIS/MP).-