Image: Revista Puerto / FIS

Argenova proposed limiting the bycatch of Patagonian toothfish in tons

It is to prevent boats without permission for the species from capturing more than 30 tons of juveniles per tide, as is the case now, according to reports. They ask for a cap of 2.5 tons that would not affect vessels with a medium or small hold capacity.

Photo: Nueva Pescanova

In 2012, based on the quota of Patagonian toothfish, management measures were established, among them the bycatch allowed in boats that do not have a quota. It was established that from 1.5% of the total catch would be considered directed fishing. Patagonian toothfish is managed under national and international regulations and the maximum catch is only 3,700 tons, which is distributed among a few companies. It is a vulnerable species due to its longevity, which makes it necessary to be very careful in the incidental capture of juveniles.

In the note sent by Argenova, his agent, Mauro Zamboni, explains to the director of Fisheries Control and Inspection, Julián Suárez, that "a small value was set with respect to the total catch of each fishing trip considering the operational characteristics of the vessels that They usually operate in the southern latitudes, which, because they have large warehouses, would allow the incidental capture of large volumes of toothfish and very valuable commercially, if a 10% bycatch was established as in other species”.

Referring to the delicate sustainability of the species, he recalls that the toothfish bycatch is the product of the unwanted catch produced in sets directed at other southern species. That, "as it generally occurs at shallower depths than those authorized for directed fishing of this resource, it is made up mostly of juvenile specimens."

From Argenova they recognize the effort of the sector to keep in line with the restrictive measures and celebrate the success of a sustainable fishery, but maintain that, "however, on certain occasions it is possible to detect some situations that, in our opinion, can compromise the state of stock health, such as those where incidental catches of the species are high despite being within the permitted percentage (1.5%)”.

<-- Photo: Inidep

“This is how we recently became aware of two consecutive trips where more than 30 tons of toothfish were declared, mostly juveniles, incidentally obtained by the Tai An vessel, which does not have a CITC for the species. Although it does not constitute a violation of the regulations in force, given that said capture with respect to the total was less than the 1.5% allowed, it is not advisable that this situation be repeated, because it threatens the sustainability of the exploitation of the species " , cites Argenova in the note as an example.

Based on that case, they then requested that the current regulations be reviewed, to prevent catches of this volume from being made and, instead, a maximum limit of tons be set: "We suggest that, although it may continue to be considered as bycatch to that which represents up to 1.5% of the total catch of the tide, it is limited to a maximum of 2.5 tons per tide”.

With this limit they ensure that the incidental capture of juveniles would be limited in those vessels with large holds, but that vessels with smaller holds that have incidental catches of this species would not be affected. They conclude the note indicating that in this way they would be "complying with the precept embraced by all of us who legally participate in the fishery, related to the minimum possible affectation of the juvenile fraction of the population."

Source: Revista Puerto 

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