Most vessels are unloading at Puerto Deseado.

Illex squid: during the first month of the season, 24,700 tonnes were caught

ARGENTINA
Tuesday, February 12, 2019, 08:00 (GMT + 9)

The local media PESCARE reports that according to preliminary data from the Undersecretariat of Fisheries, the early start of the harvest had a good beginning.

In the first month of the 2019 season, squid landings totaled 24,708 tons. The data of the Undersecretariat of Fisheries is preliminary, but it marks the good level of abundance that found the fleet of "jiggers" (poteros) to the south of the 44 ° parallel.

Jigging vessels catching squid during the night

The official record indicates that during January 21,947.6 tons were unloaded. This implies an increase of 24 percent with respect to the same month of 2018, when the fishing season was also initiated in advance with respect to what is indicated by the schedule set by the local regulation.

Meanwhile, during the first six days of February, another 2,760.4 tons arrived at the ports. Of the total volume obtained, 23,794.7 tons corresponded to the jigger vessels; while the trawlers contributed the remaining 913.3 tons.

Argentinean jigging vessels unloading frozen illex squid

According to the reports given by the owners of the jiggers, the average daily catch per unit ranged between 30 and 40 tons, with predominance of sizes S and double S.

The other encouraging data for the sector comes from the market: "The demand for cephalopods is increasing worldwide and prices are rising (...) The squid has become an increasingly valued species," says Pescare in the article.

However, the concern of the industry is growing around the lack of regulations that mark the pulse of the activity outside the exclusive economic zones, including those of our South Atlantic, where more than 300 vessels operate.

To the right of the photo you can see white arrows that indicate the area where vessels from different countries fish on the edge outside the EEZ. Argentina

Regarding the distribution of cargo, it is worth noting that 13,724.1 tons of illex arrived at Puerto Deseado. So far a good part of the shipowners opted for the Patagonian port given its proximity to the fishing area and the consequent possibility of adding days in the fishing ground.

"As the last seasons were short, we are looking to make the most of the time available," one of them revealed before the Pescare.com.ar consultation. In addition, Mar del Plata did not renew discounts on their stay and service fees and this also weighs in the equation.

The most important PAtagonian ports of Argentina

Up to 4,973 tons arrived in the local port in the first thirty days of harvest. Some of the ships that downloaded here were the "Millenium", "Patagonia Blues", "Xin Shi Ji 25", "Taisei Maru 8", "Natalia", "Esamar 4", "Don Francisco I" and "Nanina".

Another 634.7 tons were unloaded in Comodoro Rivadavia, which is located as a third option. In any case, we will have to see how the scenario of the terminals evolves when the resource begins to migrate progressively towards the north.

editorial@seafood.media
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