Argentine hake fishing. (Photo: Stock File)
ARGENTINAMonday, January 12, 2015, 23:50 (GMT + 9)
Since the enactment of the Federal Fisheries Act in 1998, government policies have made possible the recovery of Argentine hake (Merluccius hubbsi) biomass, leaving behind over-exploitation of this important fishery, says the National Ministry of Agriculture, livestock and Fisheries (Minagri).
Minagri also highlights that the total annual catches do not exceed the maximum allowable recommended by the National Institute for Fisheries Research and Development(INIDEP), which since 2003 launched the Sustainable Management Plan for Hake.
Some of the key tools that have contributed to the recovery of the resource are the establishment of individual catch quotas in 2009 and the various controls that are applied to comply with established standards.
In addition, there is a ban that has been implemented since 2000 for bottom trawl fishing in an area of 12,000 square kilometres in the Argentine Sea, established by Resolution No 265 of the National Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.
This measure visibly contributed to the recovery of juvenile hake affected by overfishing.
Furthermore, the implementation of Satellite Monitoring System helps locate vessels operating on the Argentine Exclusive Economic Zone (ZEEA) and monitor compliance closures and fishing seasons. Every 12 hours, a report on satellite positioning is published on the Ministry website.
Other management measures that have contributed to the recovery of Argentine hake are, according to Minagri, closed areas combined with seasonal openings and closures, and areas with fixed bans and restricted effort. There is also the work of the Department of Control and Supervision and the knowledge of species and their behaviour patterns.
Moreover, the Federal Fisheries Council (CFP) established in June 2011 the Monitoring Committee of Hake Fishery, which has made it possible to work efficiently in the management of the species, and proved to be "an effective and beneficial tool for maintaining regular contact with all players in the fishery sector," the Ministry points out.
Finally, national authorities emphasize the work of the inspectors of the Department of Control and Inspection and on board vessel inspectors, whose work helps to ensure compliance with the relevant standards.