The Argentine government has issued Decree 754/2021 which lowers fisheries export taxes, particularly referred to hake, shrimp and squid as long as they are processed in the country including added value, to the benefit of Argentine industry and labor.
Argentine fisheries exports in the first half of the year totaled 236,000 tons valued at US$ 855 million according to the latest report from the CaPeCa, the Argentine Chamber of fishing vessels with freezing capacity. Spain and China figure as the main clients but there is a considerable price difference in some catch produce compared to a year ago.
Argentina is modifying some regulations regarding squid fisheries. According to Resolution 7 from the Federal Fisheries Council, all jiggers and trawlers involved in squid operations must have at least 20% of their catches processed on land.
The 2021 Argentine squid season. south of parallel 44, takes off next 16 January, according to the country's Fisheries Federal Council, following on the scientific report from Inidep, the national fisheries research and development institute.
Argentine jiggers will begin operating north of parallel 44o on April first, following on a decision from the Fisheries Under Secretariat chief, Carlos Liberman. The Fisheries Federal Council is impeded of meeting because of the coronavirus pandemic rules imposed in Argentina. Anyhow the decision was taken based on a report from the Inidep research institute.
Argentina's Federal Fisheries Council (CFP) decided to authorize the early opening of the northern squid sector, as it has been the case since 2016 on recommendations from the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (INIDEP).
The 2019 squid season in Argentina took off with very good weekly yields, and average catches per vessel of 34.6 tons/day during the first seven weeks of operations south of the 44th parallel.
The president of Argentina's Chamber of Jiggers Fishing Vessels Ship-owners, Juan Redini, gave some alarming figures on squid catches in the South Atlantic during a presentation at Monday's cephalopod conference held in Vigo, Spain sponsored by FAO and the Conxemar frozen seafood exhibition.
Only a few jiggers are still operating in the South Atlantic while the bulk of the Argentine fleet has already finished one of its worst squid (Illex argentinus) seasons. According to figures from Ministry of Agro Industry, until last August 8 a total of 56,159 tons of Illex had been landed.
Argentina reports poor results from the current Illex squid season and does not discard an anticipated closure if catches fail to recover. The president of the Argentine Chamber of Jigger Fishing Shipowners (CAPA), Juan Redini confirmed to the portal Pescare that only five to six vessels remain operational between parallels 40° and 42°, but with erratic course and catches.