MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina estimates off mile 210 squid catches in 253.000 tons

Squid catches of jiggers and trawlers operating next to the Argentine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) limit totalled some 253,000 tonnes of squid (Illex argentinus) between February and June, according to the latest estimate released by the National Institute for Fisheries Research and Development (INIDEP).

The tonnage was estimated by Argentina's Fisheries Research and Development Institute INIDEP, in the 43/08 Technical Reports based on in-house calculi of the approximate number and catch potential of foreign vessels operating in the "mile 201" plus zone through June of this year. According to the report, catches in the adjacent area account for 42.6% of the 593,179 tonnes landed, which includes Argentine waters, the Falklands and the Common Fishing Zone with Uruguay. Although the presence of foreign vessels during the current season has been less than previously, Argentine jiggers associations insist they have inflicted an adverse impact on overall yields. "The mile 201 situation is absolutely chaotic and is the main cause of our crisis," said the head of the Argentine Chamber of Jigger Fishing Vessels Shipowners (CAPA), Fernando Georgiadis, Pescare reports. "Foreign vessels represent an unfair and disloyal competition for Argentine jiggers as they sell their catch at a lower price due to lower operational costs", added Georgiadis, which in turn forces prices down. "No fishing sector is as complicated as ours" claimed Georgiadis. "We are asking that Argentina undertake all possible diplomatic efforts in all international arenas to combat this type of fishing, which we consider illegal, and demand respect for our rights as a waterfront nation". The INIDEP report indicates that a fleet of 124 jiggers, 83 Argentine and 41 vessels operating off the Falkland Islands captured 340.179 tons of squid in EEZ waters. The recruitment of Southern Patagonia Stock at the start of the season (week 1) amounted to an estimated 4.559 billion specimens (683,838 tons) and the rate of fish escape at the start of week 24, was of 22.95%t (at 183,303 tons). Squid landings in Argentine ports totalled 254,222 tons between Jan 1 and October 16, according to the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food (SAGP&A). Mar del Plata landings reached 120,976 tons; Puerto Deseado, 75,488 tons; and 46,577 tons Puerto Madryn, among others. Argentine jiggers landed 229,505 tons of squid; trawlers, 18,989 tons and another 5,335 tons by fresh fish vessels. (FIS/MP).- Foreign fishers operating in 'mile 201' waters are still affecting the local harvest total of Illex argentinus