MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina closes squid fishery south of parallel 45

Argentina's Federal Council of Fisheries (CFP) unanimously decided to close the squid fishery south of parallel 45°, in order to ensure the resource.

The measure was adopted last June 8, after assessing the fishery's situation. It now remains for the Enforcement Authority to enact the administrative order banning squid catches in the afore mentioned area.

However, sources from the industry said that most vessels from the squid-jigger fleet were already operating north of parallel 45°.

According to preliminary figures provided by the Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food (SAGP&A) Secretariat, 178.310 tons of squid were landed between January and May first this year.

March 2006 registered the largest landing with 80.465.5 tons, whereas in April it was 36.005 tons.

Volumes landed this year are significantly higher than those registered last year, when the season' catch amounted to only 146.183.06 tons.

The SAGP&A report also indicates that squid-jiggers caught 163.821 tons, and freshfish vessels, 4.113.3 tons.

Port terminals that registered the largest landings include Puerto Deseado (Santa Cruz) with 100.851 tons; Puerto Madryn (Chubut) with 46.059 tons; and Mar del Plata (Buenos Aires) with 19.660 tons.

Although there is no official information yet, squid catches for May are estimated at around 15.000 tons. (FIS/MP).-