MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina advances partial opening of squid season

Argentina signalled the beginning of the Illex squid season as of January 16, effective in the South Atlantic between parallels 44o and 46o 30' and between provincial jurisdiction and meridian 62o West.

Resolution 1/2006 from the Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Secretariat (SAGPyA) also makes compulsory the presence on board the jiggers of observers from the National Institute of Fisheries Research and Development (INIDEP). Onboard observers are to be funded by vessel owners.

The fishing area was established on INIDEP's recommendations following on scientific data collected by INIDEP referring to the Summer Spawning Stock (SDV) and assessing the resource's sustainability.

Additionally, as the existence of two squid stocks south of parallel 44º S has been confirmed, the situation makes it necessary "to adopt measures regarding the opening of the fishery for the rational exploitation of the resource, without compromising the sustainability of the South-Patagonian Stock (SSP)".

Traditionally, squid fishing in those latitudes was sustained by the South-Patagonian Stock, but in recent years, a significant increase of the incidence of the Summer Spawning Stock in landings from the southern area has been observed. (FIS/MP).-