MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Uruguay Argentina agree hake ban in common fisheries zone

Growing concern in Argentina with hake landings

The Joint Technical Commission for the Argentine-Uruguay Maritime Front (CTMFM) established an autumn ban for the common hake (Merluccius hubbsi) fishery in the Common Fishing Zone (ZCP), shared by Argentina and Uruguay. The measure became effective 7 April to 30 June 2010.

According to Resolution 1/2010, published in the Official Bulletin, the hake fishing area under prohibition is within the following geographical coordinates:

• 35° 30’ South - 52° 50’ West
• 35° 30’ South - 53° 30’ West
• 37° 47’ South - 55° 10’ West
• 37° 47’ South - 56° 13’ West

The ban was established in an effort to protect juveniles’ concentrations, to “duly contribute to the resource’s preservation”.

In the delimited area, bottom-trawl fishing targeting demersal fish is also prohibited. Only ships that target pelagic species and carry an observer on board will be able to operate, though only during daytime hours.

In other news, through Resolution 2/2010, the Commission established the opening of the squid (Illex argentinus) fishery in the ZCP as from April first.

The Commission will evaluate the state of the resource in the plenary session to be held in July, and will set the date of closure of the 2010 season using technical information furnished by parties.

According to the latest statistics from Argentina’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, 41.163 tons of common hake were landed in Argentine ports in the frist quarter of 2010. This represents a 33.5% drop compared to the same quarter a year ago when landings totalled 61.886 tons of hake.

Regarding squid landings in the first quarter of the year reached 21.125 tons, 41% less that a year ago with 35.837 tons. (FIS/MP).-