MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Over 252.000 tons of squid landed in Argentina

Argentina' squid landings between January and May this year totalled 253.517 tons, up 97% over the same period last year which reached 128.567 tons according to a release from the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture (SSPA).

Last year's total squid landings totalled 146.096 tons which means 2006 has seen a dramatic change in expectations.

Preliminary figures show that Puerto Deseado, Puerto Madryn and Mar del Plata with 119.748, 68.592 and 43.018 tons respectively were the busiest so far this year. Argentina's jigger fleet has caught 243.913 tons of squid between January and May 2006, whereas trawlers fished 12.197 tons.

But the good recovery in catches has been over shadowed by a significant drop in international prices for squid, which have dropped between 40 and 50% and a more selective market demanding better quality and size.

Currently, most of the vessels with the squid-jigger fleet are operating off the coastline between Rawson and Camarones Bay, on the outer limit of the Argentine exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Since last June 20, squid fishing is banned south of parallel 45°S; a measure taken by fisheries authorities in order to protect the South-Patagonian squid stock and to ensure the resource's sustainability. (FIS/ MP).-

Buenos Aires province lobbying for higher hake quota

Buenos Aires province is strongly lobbying before federal authorities for an additional 30.000 tons of hake quota to help the "fresh" fleet operating from the port of Mar del Plata.

Buenos Aires Fisheries Undersecretary Oscar Fortunato said that with the current system every quarter end "we have a significant percentage of the fleet docked which has a negative impact on costs and employment".

"I know the situation is complicated but we're optimistic a reassignment of quotas can be achieved", he added.

Argentina's Fisheries Under Secretary Gerardo Nieto last January established a "provisional" TAC for hake of 380.000 tons, and apparently has conditioned any future review to scientific assessments undertaken by INIDEP, the country's fisheries research and development institute based in Mar del Plata.

Juan Novero, a member of Buenos Aires provincial Congress and chairman of the Fishermen's union insisted the redistribution "is vital for Mar del Plata's industry" insisting that "we need an additional 30.000 tons". "Last year the situation went undetected because we had the long labour strife and stoppage, but this season is different".

However industry representatives have another perspective.

Mariano Perez, manager of the Argentine Fisheries Industry said that the "changing distribution parameters in the last few years", are to blame for the current situation.

"The good humour of whoever is in charge seems to overweight distribution criteria. This discourages investment, is contrary to development, basically the rules of the game are not clear or transparent", said Mr. Perez.