MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Labour strife costs fishing industry 100 million US dollars

Argentina's fisheries conflict concentrated in Mar del Plata and Patagonia has cost the industry over 100 million US dollars, cancelled exports and growing uncertainties about the future, according to regional chambers.

The Argentine Fishing Industry Chamber, CIPA, from Mar del Plata estimates losses during the two months crews walk out in 70 million US dollars, "almost a million US dollars per day", plus forcing the consumer price for hake to sky rocket to almost six dollars the kilo.

The Patagonian Fishing Industries Chamber said losses reached 45 million US dollars.

Fishing is an important industry for Argentina with exports totalling 816 million US dollars last year and in cities such as Mar del Plata represents 30% of GDP and at least 20.000 direct and 60.000 indirect jobs.

"Under these conditions it's almost impossible to work or fulfill commitments. The rules are changed from one day to another, discouraging investment" claimed CIPA president Mariano Perez.

Last week a tentative agreement was reached, a 180 days truce, supposedly sufficient time for the industry to reach an understanding over payment hikes.

However since one of the unions involved in the conflict did not accept the truce, only 90 of the 120 vessels resumed fishing activities in Mar del Plata.

"Currently there's no profit in fishing", claimed Mario Ordiales president of the Patagonian Fisheries chamber adding that "to a year with out shrimp and insufficient hake licences we've had 53 of labour dispute in Puerto Madryn".

The situation is extensive to Ushuaia, Comodoro Rivadavia and Puerto Deseado where "things remain unchanged in spite of 85 to 90 days of strike".

According to the Patagonian fisheries chamber the region exported 400 million US dollars of fish products last year and the industry is the second employer behind hydrocarbons with 10,000 direct and 30,000 indirect jobs.

Fishing crew make an average 1,200 US dollars per month and ground personnel 450 US dollars, estimated Mr. Ordiales.

"The Argentine fishing industry is going through a no confidence period, we've lost contracts, there's absence of stability, legal framework, reliability", he insisted.

"Our vessels have been docked for 90 days", complained Alfredo Pott president of Yuken Fisheries in Ushuaia and Pesquera Santa Elena, Puerto Deseado.

"Salaries have been increased 140%, but the unions are demanding an additional 50%, there's no way we can keep working", insisted Mr. Pott who alleged his companies have lost five million US dollars in overseas sales.