MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands’ rock cod finds its way into the Spanish market

The rock cod, similar to hake and abundant in the South Atlantic

Virtually unknown to the Spanish market, the rock cod (Gadiculus argenteus argenteus) is a white fish which is of a similar taste to hake, which is abundant in the waters of the South Atlantic near the Falkland Islands and could become an alternative to traditional species.

The capture of this fish by Galician freezer vessels in the South Atlantic are now four times those of hake, as ship owners begin sending containers of rock cod to the Spanish market.

Javier Touza, president of the Cooperative of Vigo Ship-owners claims that the fish is known under that name as crews on the Galician fleet “did not know what to call it.”

The rock cod weighs roughly 150 to 200 grams, but a few years ago was discarded by hake and squid fishermen, as they were unable to sell it.

“We thought it was a shame to discard it because, well, it was a quality fish, very tasty, white meat very similar to hake, a size that makes it very interesting for the market and a final price for consumers always below EUR 2 per kilo, which makes it an interesting alternative to many traditional species,” said Touza.

He also recalled that in 2005, the Cooperative sponsored a study to determine the biological conditions and the commercial possibilities of rock cod in European markets.

After obtaining positive results of that investigation, all of the captured fish began to be sent to Russia, Ukraine and Baltic countries in a frozen form, reports the newspaper Faro de Vigo.

Annually the rock cod catch is some 57,000 tons, which is four times the 15,000 tons of hake caught in 2009 by the same fishing fleet in Falklands’ waters. According to the Falklands Fisheries department statistics, rock cod catch in 2007 totalled, 30.000 tons; in 2008, 60.000 tons and last year, 58.000 tons.

“We could still catch much more, as there is a tremendous quantity and also as the Falklands authorities would love to diminish stocks due to the species eating squid eggs” Touza added.

In order to promote the species among wholesalers, retailers and consumers in the main markets and Spanish cities, a campaign has been launched by the Association of Freezer Ship-owners of Hake Fisheries (ANAMER) and the Fund for Regulation and Organization of the Market for Fisheries and Marine Aquaculture Products (FROM), in coordination with the Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs. (FIS).- campaign.