MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Uruguay after larger share in Atlantic tuna

Uruguay's National Directorate of Aquatic Resources (DINARA) is working on a strategic plan benefiting Uruguayan flagged vessels in the tuna and swordfish Atlantic fisheries over the next five years.

The plan envisages incorporating Uruguayan-flagged vessels targeting big-eye tuna, yellow-fin tuna, and albacore, within the quotas granted to Uruguay by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).

Regarding swordfish, DINARA Director Daniel Montiel, reported Uruguay is catching the established quota and will carry out stringent monitoring of the species by-catch working on technical data it has on the resource.

Mr. Montiel was consulted about the Uruguayan industry interest in higher swordfish quotas in the Southern Atlantic and replied that DINARA objective is resource management according to the international commissions' regulations, and with a precautionary approach towards the fully exploited resources.

However projects can be submitted to DINARA beginning September first. The selection will be done according to investment volume, percentage of local labour, and product's added value.

Vessels to be incorporated will have to be equipped with satellite monitoring systems and are obliged to carry a DINARA scientific observer onboard for enforcement of ICCAT recommendations.

DINARA authorities pledged to grant hierarchy to the Uruguayan participation in the meetings of the commission this year, not only during the event that will be taking place in Madrid, but also in the ICCAT Meeting of the Standing Committee on Research and Statistics (SCRS) to be held in Seville in September. (FIS/MP).-