MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Squid landings in Argentina double, but from a very low 2010 floor

Fisheries landings Jan-Jul 10/11. (Photo: Minagri/FIS)

Fisheries catches landed in Argentine ports totalled 356.304 tons in the first six months of 2001 which represents a 13.3% over the 314.338 tons of the same period a year ago. However, squid landings in the same period doubled but from a very low 2010 floor, according to the latest data from the Under Secretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

Of total landings this year, 264.495 tons were fish; 61,501 tons molluscs and 30.308 tons crustaceans. Main catches in the reported period were hake (Merluccius hubbsi), 130.243 tons, which is 4.6% higher than the volume last year, 124.439 tons. Hake was followed by squid (Illex argentinus) with 58.633 tons representing a 103.2% increase when compared with 28.852 tons unloaded in the fist half of last year.

Other landings include 8.484 tons of stripped weakfish (Cynoscion striatus); 4.210 tons of plaice (Paralichthys patagonicus); 3.463 tons of narrownose smooth hound (Mustelus schmitti); 3.382 tons of red cod (Salilota australis) and 2.259 tons of snapper (Pagrus pagrus).

As to molluscs, 2.761 tons of scallops (Zygochlamys patagonica) were landed plus 29.931 tons of shrimp (Pleoticus muelleri). This compares with 2.643 tons and 25.465 tons the same period a year ago.

Mar del Plata remains as the leading landings port for domestic fisheries with 192.576 tons followed by Puerto Madryn (Chubut) with 59.979 tons. Ushuaia (Tierra del Fuego) figures with 39.077 tons; Puerto Deseado (Santa Cruz) with 24.639 tons and Caleta Olivia/Paula (Santa Cruz) with 10.922 tons, among other port terminals.

Argentine fisheries official statistics also indicate that between January first and 4 July, the fleet with the highest level of catches was that of fresh fish vessels with 109.425 tons. This was followed by the trawlers with 106,808 tons; coastal vessels with 49.888 tons and domestic jiggers with 44.890 tons, among other vessels. (FIS)