MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

“Reasonable year” for Loligo squid catch

The 2005 Loligo squid catch with 58.700 tons was described as a “reasonable year” by Falkland Islands Fisheries Department Director John Barton.

"The average annual catch of Loligo over the last five years, including 2005, is 42.000 tons and the highest since 2000 when 64.93 tons were caught".

However as has happened with the Falklands main source of income, the Illex squid, which virtually disappeared in the last two seasons, Loligo has also had its ups and downs with quite low annual catches, 23.700 tons in 2002 and 26.800 in 2004.

But Mr. Barton pointed out that "whilst these are quite large fluctuations in catches, supplies are rather more stable if looked over a two year period", which also appears to result in some price stability.

"This is also helped by the Falklands being a relatively consistent supplier of Loligo squid", said Mr. Barton.