MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina: Record squid exports from Rio Gallegos

The fishing town of Puerto Deseado, a fishing village located 790 kilometres north of Río Gallegos, this year exported 42,000 tons of squid, which officials qualified as a “historic record” for the area.

This volume corresponds to the season that began on February 14 of 2006 and lasted until April 3, a time frame in which some hundred fishing ships "captured more than 46,000 tons," according to the Ports Executing Unit in the Santa Cruz province, Juan José Chiappino.

The official confirmed that activity was at record levels, and that it amply surpassed the fishing levels of 2001, when 33,000 tons were captured. .

Chiappino explained that "of the total capture is the Argentine Sea, up to ten percent is for domestic consumption and the rest is exported." .

Chiappino said that while the season continues, he did not rule out the possibility of a new shipment "of similar volume" being sent before September. .

On the economic activity generated in Puerto Deseado, the official highlighted that of the 100 ships authorized to fish "most carry the Argentine flag" and "only five of them carry international flags." .

He also highlighted that in Puerto Deseado there are nine processed fish plants, which generate an important contribution to the reactivation of the port area.