San Jorge Gulf in Argentine Patagonia.Photo: Stockfile/FIS

INIDEP Conducts Patagonian Shrimp Survey in the San Jorge Gulf

The campaign is being carried out aboard the fishing vessel Bogavante Segundo.

• The San Jorge Gulf is a crucial area for Argentine shrimp, contributing between 77% and 89% of the total biomass of this species.
  
• Additionally, it concentrates between 86% and 94% of the total number of shrimp individuals.
  
• It is an important area for the recruitment and development of juvenile individuals.

Aboard the commercial fishing vessel Bogavante Segundo, on Friday, February 28th, the National Institute for Fisheries Research and Development (INIDEP) launched the shrimp survey in the San Jorge Gulf, national waters, and the Chubut coastline from the port of Ingeniero White.

Over 20 days, researchers and technicians will verify the presence of shrimp concentrations accessible and vulnerable to commercial trawl nets in the areas between parallels 43º 10’ S and 47º S and west of longitude 63º 50’W. They will also analyze the length structure of females, the spatial distribution of mature and impregnated females, and the evolution of ovarian maturation stages of adult females.

Additionally, they will determine the composition and abundance of the epi-benthic fauna associated with the main shrimp distribution grounds in the evaluation area. They will quantify and sample the catch accompanying the target species and collect zooplankton samples to locate and quantify Patagonian shrimp eggs and larvae.

Research campaigns on the shrimp resource are fundamental to ensure sustainable fisheries management. Through these studies, key information on the abundance, distribution, and population structure of the resource is obtained, allowing for management decisions based on scientific evidence.

Since 2017, a group of companies in the sector has financed these campaigns, demonstrating their commitment to sustainability and improving knowledge of shrimp dynamics. This public-private collaboration strengthens the monitoring capacity of the species population, effectively contributing to the implementation of conservation and responsible exploitation strategies.

The INIDEP (National Institute for Fisheries Research and Development) shrimp survey in the San Jorge Gulf in Argentina is of utmost importance for several key reasons:

Resource Sustainability:

Shrimp is one of Argentina's most valuable fishery resources, both for the domestic market and for export. A survey allows for the evaluation of the population status, its biomass, and its distribution, which is fundamental for establishing sustainable catch quotas and avoiding overfishing. This ensures the long-term preservation of the resource.

Economic Impact:

The shrimp fishery is one of the most important for the Argentine economy, generating employment and foreign exchange through exports. A precise survey allows for the optimization of resource exploitation, maximizing economic benefits without compromising its future viability.

Ecosystem Monitoring:

The San Jorge Gulf is a complex and dynamic marine ecosystem. The study of shrimp not only focuses on this species but also on its interaction with other species and the environment. This helps to understand how factors such as climate change, pollution, or incidental fishing affect the ecosystem as a whole.

Regulatory Compliance:

Argentina, as part of the international community, has commitments regarding responsible fishing and the conservation of marine resources. INIDEP surveys are essential to comply with national and international regulations, such as those established by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations).

Informed Decision-Making:

The data collected in the surveys is the scientific basis for fisheries authorities, such as the Federal Fisheries Council, to make informed decisions about resource management. This includes the allocation of quotas, the closed season, and other fisheries management measures.

Innovation and Technology:

INIDEP surveys often incorporate cutting-edge technology, such as sonar systems and satellite mapping, which not only improves data accuracy but also fosters innovation in the country's fisheries research.

The shrimp survey in the San Jorge Gulf is crucial to ensure the environmental, economic, and social sustainability of one of Argentina's most important fisheries. Without these studies, there would be a risk of depleting the resource, negatively affecting fishing communities and the national economy.

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