Argentina exported 329,751 tons of seafood in the nine months of 2013 to September, a figure which shows an increase of 14.9% compared to the same period in 2012, when 286.899 tons were shipped abroad.
The Falkland Islands fisheries sector was invited to Rhode Island, USA earlier this month in order to present the Islands’ success story of data-sharing between the industry and the local fisheries department.
The Falklands fishing industry has encountered the highest Loligo squid catch for 16 years, however, this could negatively affect the price for the industry.
The Falkland Islands Fisheries Department scientists are currently investigating whether changes in fishing gear used in the finfish and loligo fleets can reduce by-catch, Fisheries Scientist Alexander Arkhipkin told Penguin News.
The Falkland Islands fishing industry is taking steps are to establish a licensed fishery for grenadier for an initial period of three years. In 2009 the option of converting the grenadier fishery from exploratory status to an ITQ fishery was considered, but not progressed.
The announcement this week that the catches for the first loligo season for 2012 totaled 34,900 metric tones, equal to more than the entire catch for 2011, coincides with the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Falkland Island fishery.
Falkland Islands fishing companies had tons of reasons to be cheerful as the first Loligo squid season of 2012 drew to a close last weekend.
VESSELS fishing for the squid species Illex argentinus in Falklands waters have been reporting poor catches of around two and five ton per day so far this season, confirmed Falkland Islands Fisheries Scientist Alexander Arkhipkin.
The Loligo and Rock cod fisheries have performed well over the first seven months of 2010, although it is too early to predict the overall performance for the year confirmed Falkland Islands Government Director of Natural Resources John Barton.