MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina's squid landings total 85,000 tons

Argentina's Fisheries Undersecretariat reported Friday that landings of Illex squid to March 31 totalled 85.793 tons.

Illex squid is proving to be the most abundant resource this season in the Argentinean Sea with a share of more than 35% of total landings in Argentine ports.

Between January first and March 31 last year squid landings had totalled 72,172 tons.

Furthermore in March 2006 the jioggers fleet landed double the volume of the first two months, when catches reached 42,345,1 tons, according to data from the Fisheries Department.

Most squid was landed in the Patagonian ports of Puerto Deseado and Puerto Madryn. Mar del Plata landings were equivalent to 10% of total volume in the first quarter.

The Argentine fishing fleet is operating south of parallel 44º, in the South-Patagonian stock (SSP) and the summer spawning stock (SDV).

Fishery authorities indicated that if catches remain at the current level, the fishing season will most likely be extended in the second half of the year.

However this will depend on the research undertaken by the National Institute for Fisheries Research and Development (INIDEP) and the scientists' recommendations regarding fisheries sustainability (MP/FIS)