Shrimp vessel. (Photo: Stock File)
ARGENTINATuesday, May 12, 2015, 03:00 (GMT + 9)
The Government of the province of Chubut decided to again extend the shrimp (Pleoticus muelleri) survey for 10 days in jurisdictional waters of the Gulf San Jorge.
The head of the Undersecretariat of Fisheries of Chubut, Hector Rojas, said the decision was taken in conjunction with the Minister of Territorial Development and Productive Sectors, Gabriela Dufour.
"It is true that there is a decline in the resource but it is not extreme. In addition, those vessels that are operating in the area are about seven," the Undersecretary of Chubut stated.
According to Resolution 127 of the provincial government, shrimp capture will be prohibited from 16 May in the area between the following geographical positions: 44º56' LS and the coast; 44º56' LS and provincial jurisdiction limit; 46º00' LS and provincial jurisdiction limit; 46º00' LS and 67º20' LW; 45º30 'and 66º55' LW; 45º30' LS and the coast.
In addition, a closed area for the capture of all species will be set among the following points: 45º06'LS and the coast; 45º06' LS and 66º00' LW; 66º00' LS and the coast.
And another closed area for the catch of any species among these points: 45º19' LS and 66º43' LW; 45º19' LS and 66º30' LW; 66º43' LS and the coast; 66º30' LS and the coast.
The Government of Chubut also ratified "the temporal continuity of the areas where the fleet activity is being monitored through the OnBoard Observer Programme in the province of Chubut."
According to the technical programme, there was "a decline in shrimp yields in all explored areas," and therefore "the closure of the shrimp fishery is recommended in the Gulf San Jorge throughout the month of May", reported Revista Puerto.
According to statistics of the Undersecretariat of Fisheries of the Nation, between 1 January and 30 April, 2015 a total of 20,686.4 tonnes of shrimp was landed in Argentine ports, 39 per cent more than in the first four months of 2014 (14,874.5 tonnes).