MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

More than 500 Patagonian toothfish marked for research

Since 2004, the National Institute for Fisheries Research and Development (INIDEP) has been carrying on a capture-mark-recapture programme for Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides), aimed at providing relevant information about this resource management in the South-western Atlantic ocean.

The study is jointly financed by INIDEP, the Federal Fisheries Council (CFP), and companies participating in the Fishery Follow-up Advisory Commission (CASPMEN).

The programme is aimed at studying specific characteristics of the Patagonian toothfish' reproduction cycle, growth patterns, and feeding habits, to help fishery experts and authorities in the adequate management of the valuable species.

Its first stage concluded with the tagging of 543 fish in sectors located on the northern bank and the protected area for Patagonian toothfish juveniles, located to the east of States Island.

INIDEP scientists request that those who catch a tagged Patagonian toothfish specimen notify the captain of the vessel and return it to a scientific observer onboard.

Observers meanwhile will then register all required data and are responsible for returning the tag, and the otoliths, and fins from the marked specimen to the INIDEP, in Mar del Plata.

In the South Georgias maritime zone, a similar tagging programme for Patagonian toothfish was implemented, resulting in what has been deemed a success.

British researchers said the information allowed them to determine improvement in the resource status, and as a result the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) authorised an increase of more than 15 per cent in the total allowable catch (TAC). (FIS)