MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Japanese vessel will survey squid in Argentina's EEZ

Japanese flagged research vessel Kiyo Maru will begin next Friday September 16 a research cruise in the South Atlantic to assess squid (Illex argentinus) juveniles from the summer spawning stock (SDV) and from the southern Patagonian stock (SSP).

The survey will end November 4 and will be carried out in two 23 and 25 day legs, the first of which will cover Argentina's EEZ between parallels 37º 00' S and 44º 30' S; and the second will be carried out in the adjacent ocean sector between parallels 37º 00' S and 47º 00' S.

The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries vessel is 93-metre long and arrived in Mar del Plata last September 12. She's state of the art technology and specialised fishing gear. Kiyo Maru is expected to assess the distribution and abundance of squid juveniles and collect a thorough analysis of recruitment and migration patterns.

Argentina's Federal Fisheries Council (CFP) authorised the research cruise which will help complement the tasks carried out by scientific vessels from the Argentine National Institute of Fisheries Research and Development (INIDEP) during the winter months.

"Once completed the survey will allow us to improve evaluation and management methods" said INIDEP Director Luis Barletta at the official welcome ceremony.

"Funds for the project will be entirely contributed by Japan, as part of a squid project collaboration agreement" revealed INIDEP marine biologist Otto Wöhler adding that in recent seasons the squid fishery weathered significant shortfalls but had began to recover this year.

Official statistics show that during the first seven months of 2005, 139,744 tons of squid were caught in Argentine waters, virtually doubling 2004 catches. (FIS/MP).