The different sectors of the fishing industry are watching closely to see what may happen with shrimp (AI Image generated for illustrative purposes)

Countdown to Shrimp Season: Labor Pressure, Parallel Contracts, and Thousands of Sailors Ready to Set Sail

ARGENTINA
Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 01:40 (GMT + 9)

The potential opening on April 15 in national waters is accelerating key decisions among companies, unions, and authorities, as tensions rise over wage agreements and hiring modalities

The start of Argentina's shrimp season is entering a निर्णative phase. The Federal Fisheries Council (CFP) has formally advanced with a request for technical reports from INIDEP , aiming to authorize activity in the northern sector starting April 15 , outside the Permanent Closed Area for the Protection of Juvenile Hake ( AVPJM ).

According to industry sources, a favorable biological assessment is expected, which would allow fishing operations to begin, as reproductive processes of the resource are believed to be protected following the previous season's closure. However, administrative approval does not guarantee actual activity: the labor conflict remains the main obstacle.

Permanent Closed Area for the Protection of Juvenile Hake (AVPJM).

Stalled negotiations and risk of paralysis

The business chambers CAPECA , CAPIP , and CEPA maintain a firm stance: the trawler fleet will not set sail without a prior wage agreement with the union SOMU . However, time is running out due to three key factors:

• Pressure from rank-and-file workers , who seek to avoid prolonged conflicts like those of 2025 .
• Expiration of union leadership mandates on May 9 , which could leave the union without authorized leadership.
• Risk of leadership vacuum , complicating negotiations at the height of the season.

In this context, the date of April 15 acts as a critical deadline forcing all parties to accelerate decisions.

Contracts outside the union and legal controversy

Amid the lack of agreement, businessman Fernando Álvarez Castellano (pictured) , head of Conarpesa , has decided to move forward independently. In radio statements, he announced the creation of the email “ contrataciones@conarpesa.com.ar ” , where sailors can register to work under individual contracts.

"I have created an email account called contrataciones@conarpesa.com.ar . What I am very clear about is that I am going to sign contracts," he stated.

The proposed scheme includes a variable production-based payment, with values ​​ranging from US$4,524 per ton when the sale price is below US$6,000 , up to US$5,800 per ton if it exceeds US$8,000 , along with an advance payment of approximately US$1,700 (equivalent to 1.5 million pesos ).

Although a court injunction suspended adjustment contracts under current legislation, the businessman argued: “Even if they say these private contracts are illegal, let the Ministry say that later, and if not, the courts will decide.”

Álvarez Castellano also questioned the union's stance: “They have to understand that the context is not the best… there is a war, there are many markets—Arabia, Russia—where we used to sell and now we cannot supply them. We are left with Europe and America, where we have to compete.”

Massive response from seafarers

The initiative by Conarpesa had an immediate impact: more than 2,000 sailors signed up to embark, reflecting strong interest in working and avoiding delays to the season.

"Without exception, all permanent crew members said from the very beginning: yes, I'm going aboard, " Álvarez Castellano emphasized, adding his public gratitude: "It's a shame we don't have 100 vessels to take them all. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Foto: CONARPESA

The high level of participation highlights growing tension between rank-and-file workers and the leadership of SOMU , with many workers willing to move forward even outside the traditional union framework.

A crucial season at stake

As INIDEP prepares to issue its final technical report and companies reaffirm their wage proposal submitted on February 20 , Argentina's fishing sector faces a crossroads.

With the fleet ready, thousands of workers waiting, and a more competitive international market, the 2026 shrimp season is shaping up to be one of the most decisive in recent years. The outcome will depend on whether the parties can resolve the conflict in time—or whether, once again, the season begins under a cloud of uncertainty.

🇯🇵 Japanese version

エビ鱼シーズンへのカウントダウン: 労働姧力, parallel contract, そして preparation for sailing, a crew of thousands of people

The possibility of the opening of national waters on April 15th, the important decision between companies, companies, and authorities is accelerated, and the leasing agreement and employment status are tense and high.

アルゼンチンのエビ鱼シーズンのstartは, the determined situation is entered into. **Confederation of Fisheries Council (CFP)**, INIDEP technical report formal request, April 15th Northern Sea Operations Permit, project guide. This is the outside of the Juvenile Fish Protection Zone ( AVPJM ).

Comments from industry insiders, によると, resource no biology, good intentions, が见込まれており, former シーズンのThe end of the breeding process is the protection of the breeding process, and the operation is possible.しかし、Administrative recognition は実记の业をguarantee するものではない. Conflict is still the biggest obstacle and the greatest obstacle.

stagnation means cessation of business

Corporate group CAPECA , CAPIP , およびCEPAは tough な posture を maintain し て お り , 労働 combination SOMUとの Prior to renting gold and agreeing to do so, the トロール Ship団は will go sailing しないとしている.しかし、The following 3 items are due to により's time allowance:

• The pressure of the on-site violator : The long-term dispute in 2025 and the intention to avoid it.
• The term of the group's guidance department has expired : It is scheduled to end on May 9th , and there is no possibility that the group's official guidance department will be finalized.
• The Guidance Department is not in the のリスク：シーズンのmost in the middle of the difficulty and fear.

このstatusにおいて、April 15thという日发は、すべてのrelated personにquick decisionをforceるimportant deadlineとなっている.

Debate over the contract and law outside the combination

合意が得られない中、実业家フェルナンド・アルバレス・カステジャーノ（ Representative of Conarpesa ) I act alone and I decide.ラジオでの発言において、crew individual contract で働くために登录できるメールアドレス**「contrataciones@conarpesa.com.ar》**の开発発した.

「private contrataciones@conarpesa.com.arというメールアドレスを作った. Private が very clear にしているのは, contract をconclusion するということだ」と比は书べた.

Proposal of the system, production volume, compensation, sales price, US$6,000 , no occasion , US$4,524 , US$8,000を超えるoccasionは1トンあたりUS$5,800となる.また、Approximately US$1,700 ( equivalent to 1.5 million ペソ) の前払いも分される.

Under the current law, the adjustment of the contract, the suspension of the punishment, the suspension of the contract, the suspension of the contract, the suspension of the contract, the suspension of the contract, the suspension of the contract, the suspension of the contract, and the adjustment of the contract. 「これらの无码がと言うのであれば、それは后で生庁がJudgmentすればいいし、そうでなければJudgement CourtがJudgmentめるだろう".

また、アルバレス・カステジャーノは労働 Combination pose にもquestion を成した. " The best thing about the situation is the best understanding of the situation..." ...戦 contention があり, previously sold 売していたアラビアやロシアといった多くのMarketにsupplyできななっている.ロッパとアメリカであり、そこで竞技しなければならない".

The crew's massive revolt

Conarpesaのtakeり组みはThat seatにeffectを与え、For a crew of more than 2,000 people, you can board the ship in hopes of logging in, and if you want to, you can avoid being strong and caring.

「Exceptionalなく、すべてのregular crewmemberがprimaryから『Boatする』と言った」とアルバレス・カステジャーノは emphasizes し, さらにThanks の意をshows した. " Everyone is going to ride on the 100-piece boat and remember it with regret. I am grateful to you all from my heart ."

この高いParticipation rateは、On-site staff and SOMU Guidance Department との间に高まるNERGY をFloating りにしており、多くの労働者が従来のcombination枠组みの外でも行するmeaningをshowしている.

A great deal

INIDEP 's final technical report has been submitted and is in preparation, and the company's side will be notified on February 20 The case of leasing money was re-confirmed, and the case of fishery was re-confirmed.

The ship is fully prepared, thousands of people are on standby, and competition in the international market is intensifying. 2026のエビ鱼シーズンは is the most important なものの一つになると见られている in recent years. As a result, the relationship between the person and the person involved will be eliminated within a certain period of time, and the uncertainty will be resolved again and again.

🇨🇳 Simplified Chinese version

Shrimp season countdown: Labor pressures, parallel contracts, and thousands of crew members ready to depart.

Amid the possibility of opening national waters on April 15, key decisions among businesses, unions, and the government are being accelerated, while tensions escalate over wage agreements and employment models.

The start of Argentina's shrimp season is entering a crucial phase. The Federal Fisheries Committee (CFP) has formally submitted a technical report request to INIDEP , aiming to approve operations in the northern waters starting April 15 , an area outside the Melusa Juvenile Fish Protection Permanent No-Fishing Zone ( AVPJM ).

According to industry sources, favorable biological assessment results are expected, allowing fishing operations to commence, as the resource's reproductive process has been protected since the end of the previous season. However, administrative approval does not guarantee that actual operations can proceed: labor disputes remain the biggest obstacle.

Risk of Negotiation Stall and Shutdown

Enterprise associations CAPECA , CAPIP , and CEPA maintain a firm stance: the trawler fleet will not set sail until a wage agreement is reached with the SOMU union . However, time is running out due to three key factors:

• Pressure on frontline workers : the desire to avoid a prolonged conflict similar to that of 2025 .
• The term of office for union leaders expires on May 9 , which may result in the union losing its legitimate leadership.
• Leadership vacuum risk : Negotiations will be more difficult during the fishing season.

Against this backdrop, April 15th became a crucial date that forced all parties to expedite decision-making.

Contracts and legal disputes outside of unions

When negotiations failed, entrepreneur Fernando Álvarez Castellano ( head of Conarpesa ) decided to act alone. In a radio interview, he announced the creation of an email address, " contrataciones@conarpesa.com.ar ," for crew members to apply for work on individual contracts.

“ I have created an email address called contrataciones@conarpesa.com.ar . I am very clear that I will sign a contract ,” he said.

The scheme includes a variable remuneration based on production volume: US$4,524 per tonne when the selling price is below US$6,000 and US$5,800 per tonne when it exceeds US$8,000 , along with an advance payment of approximately US$1,700 (about 1.5 million pesos ).

Despite the court ruling to suspend the adjustment of contracts under current law, the entrepreneur stated, " Even if they say these private contracts are illegal, let the relevant departments make their judgment later, and if that doesn't work, let the court decide ."

Alvarez Castellano also questioned the union's position: " They must understand that the current situation is not ideal... There is war, and many markets we used to sell to—Arab States, Russia—are now unavailable. We are left with only Europe and the Americas, where we must compete ."

The crew's strong response

Conarpesa ’s move quickly had an impact: more than 2,000 crew members signed up to board, demonstrating a strong desire to work and an urgent need to avoid seasonal delays.

“ Without exception, all the full crew members said from the beginning: I want to board ,” Álvarez Castellano emphasized, and publicly expressed his gratitude: “ Unfortunately, we don’t have 100 ships to accommodate everyone. Thank you from the bottom of my heart .”

Such high participation highlights the growing tension between grassroots workers and SOMU leadership, with many workers willing to push their work outside the traditional union framework.

The fate of the critical fishing season

Argentine fisheries are at a crossroads as INIDP prepares to submit its final technical report and companies reiterate their salary proposals put forward on February 20 .

The fleet is ready, thousands of workers await departure, and competition in the international market is intensifying, making the 2026 shrimp season one of the most crucial in recent years. The final outcome will depend on whether the parties can resolve the conflict in time, or whether a new season will begin amidst uncertainty once again.

editorial@seafood.media
www.seafood.media

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