MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina closes squid fisheries until June 18 for conservation

Catches totaled 52.222 tons until May 17 (Photo Redes)

Argentina’s Federal Fisheries Council, CFP, ordered the closure of the squid (Illex argentinus) fishery to the south and north of parallel 44° as from 21 May until June 18 because of a low resource biomass.

The decision follows on the results from the scientific cruise carried out by the Mar del Plata based National Institute for Fishery Research and Development, INUIDEP.

“The estimated squid biomass is very low, roughly 45,000 tons” points out the INIDEP technical report released last week.

Research showed an insufficient stock in the North Patagonian zone close to Buenos Aires (SBNP) and scarce resources of the spring spawning stock (SSS).

The decision is expected to affect the activity of about 20 squid jiggers working between parallels 41º and 43º, which have been reporting a daily average catch of below a ton.

Latest data from Argentina’s Under-Secretary of Fisheries shows that landings between January first and May 17 totalled 52.222 tons which is almost double catches in a similar span of time but in 2010, when catches totalled, 26.316 tons.

The CFP has summoned the Squid Fishery Monitoring Committee for Wednesday June 29, when current policy will be reviewed. (FIS/MP).-