MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands reports above average catches of Illex squid for 2020

Falklands Director of Natural Resources Dr Andrea Clausen also reported that a total of 30,000 tons of Loligo was harvested during the first season.

A total of 62,000 tons of illex squid was taken during the first four months of 2020, which was above the average over the last four years reported the Falklands Islands Director of Natural Resources Dr. Andrea Clausen, at Thursday’s meeting of the Fisheries Committee.

She said Oceanography was not favorable for Illex catches on the high seas, but catches within the Argentine EEZ were also high.

Due to the high market price, no refunds to the jigging fleet have been considered.

Dr Clausen explained that a total of 30,000 tons of Loligo was harvested during the first season.

This figure is close to the average catch of this squid during the first season over the last decade, but lower than in the last two years.

Marine Mammal Observers were deployed across the whole fleet. Use of mitigation measures resulted in seabird and marine mammal by catch being negligible, said Dr Clausen.

Hake migrated into Falkland waters a month later than in 2019.

However, catches in April were already high among G-licensed vessels. Following a period of close monitoring of these catches throughout the northwest area of the zone, the “Hake Box” was closed to all vessels except A license holders from April 26. (Penguin News).