MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina increases common hake TAC by 27% to 338.000 tons

Hake is the main catch in the South Atlantic

Argentina’s Federal Fisheries Council, CFP, has fixed the total allowable catch (TAC) of common hake (Merluccius hubbsi) for 2010 at 338,000 tons. This is 72.000 tons or 27% higher than this year’s TAC.

Resolution 28/09 establishes a maximum of 290.000 tons for the southern stock and 48.000 tons for the northern stock n the South Atlantic. The CFP decision increased the fishing effort 83.000 tons on the first stock and cuts back 11.000 tons on the second, compared to 2009.

CFP members contend that the established catch quota conciliates biological and commercial interests. However there are new restrictions on Northern stock operations: four annual trips per vessel and 5,000 cases each time.

The resolution includes other conditions: during the first half of the year, ships will be able to capture up to a maximum of 60 per cent of their quota; fishing trips will have to be carried out fully and exclusively in each one of the stocks; there will be a 50-day shutdown effective in port for fresh fish vessels and a 65-day for freezer vessels; the use of devices for the escape of juveniles from trawl nets will be enforced, as established by the Council.

Meanwhile, a total of 262,849.7 tons of hake were landed between 1 January and 17 December of this year, a volume similar to last year’s, stated the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MINAGRI).

In Mar del Plata 178,832.5 tons of hake were landed; Madryn Port, Chubut, 37,286 tons; Caleta Paula, Santa Cruz, 11,061.6 tons; Comodoro Rivadavia, Chubut, 8,101 tons and the port terminal of San Antonio Este, Rio Negro, 6,992.5 tons.

According to official data, fresh fish vessels unloaded 168,038.2 tons of common hake, and trawlers, 65,196.5 tons. Coastal vessels, meanwhile, landed 18,119.7 tons and those of rada/ria, 10,610.7 tons, among other fishing vessels. (FIS/MP).-