Image: Revista Puerto / FIS

Scandal over the unauthorized capture of toothfish in the Argentine EEZ

ARGENTINA
Tuesday, March 12, 2024, 01:00 (GMT + 9)

The protagonist is the Tai An ship of the Prodesur firm. It was reported by the companies Argenova, Estremar and Pesantar to the fishing authorities for fishing 140 tons of the species. The incident warranted returning to port, but due to high-level pressure, it was allowed to continue on the high seas. Criminal complaint is being prepared.

The weekend was very hectic for companies dedicated to toothfish fishing and holders of 100% of the quota. In less than five months, the owner of the Tai An vessel has been denounced twice for carrying out targeted fishing for this species without authorization. But the seriousness of the events that have occurred in recent days led to intimidating calls to government officials by those close to the Foreign Ministry to stop the order for the ship to return to port, after corroborating that it had caught 140 tons in one trip. Given the government's inaction, companies prepare a criminal complaint. From CAPeCA they pointed out that it is “an illegality of great proportions.”

Source: Roberto Garrone / Wiki / FIS -->

At the beginning of 2024 and with the arrival of the new libertarian government, the Prodesur company tried to obtain 300 tons of toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) from the Administration Reserve for its Tai An vessel. This is equivalent to 50% of the total reserve. The management would not have been carried out by the company, but by the governor of Tierra del Fuego, Gustavo Melella. The note entered the CFP but it is not yet formed and has not met to date; Therefore, no one could give a response authorizing or denying the request.

Despite this, the boat headed to the toothfish fishing area and in sight of the quota-holding boats began to operate on the wells where this resource is found, which is fished in areas close to a thousand meters deep. Alerted by their captains, the companies Argenova, Empesur and Pesantar, holders of 100% of the toothfish quotas, reported the situation to the fishing authorities.

“The Tai An vessel of the Prodesur SA firm would be violating the Federal Fisheries Regime, law 24,922 and the toothfish quota system. As verified by satellite plots that are publicly accessible. The vessel carried out tasks compatible with fishing for toothfish in the species' distribution area; This was confirmed by the ships Argenova XXI and San Arawa II; Likewise, we have also learned that the commercial area of the firm Prodesur SA is offering frozen toothfish in foreign markets (United States and China) on board the current voyage of the aforementioned vessel," reads the complaint filed. before the Undersecretariat and the National Directorate of Fisheries.

The companies indicated that the boat has an inspector and observers on board and that the authorities have the 72-hour fishing report available to record the maneuver. Norma Oszust is the inspector; Walter León and Leonardo Spagnuolo Rey the INIDEP observers.

“If the serious facts reported here are confirmed, in clear violation of the Federal Fisheries Law, we demand the immediate entry of the aforementioned vessel into port and the formation of a supervisory unloading commission,” they requested from the companies, as well as that the Directorate apply an exemplary sanction once corroborated, in the note presented on Friday, March 8.

The Fisheries Directorate would have corroborated the excessive capture of toothfish by the Tai An vessel with the reading of the electronic fishing report, which, according to several sources, indicated more than 140 tons of toothfish, about US$3.5 million at first sale values.

A situation that was also confirmed with the note given by the Undersecretariat of Fisheries to the Argentine Coast Guard in which it was indicated that "based on the analysis of the information that arises from the administration, control and inspection systems it has mentioned Undersecretariat, the order has been determined to immediately instruct the Fishing Vessel “Tai An” to leave the distribution areas of Black Hake.”

According to reports, the Fisheries Directorate had requested the ship enter the port, complying with article 55 of the Fisheries Law which establishes, for these cases, that when it is “considered appropriate due to the seriousness of the event, the trip may be interrupted. of fishing in which the alleged infraction was committed, through a duly founded administrative act.”

But due to pressure received, through intimidating telephone calls to the Director of Fisheries, Julián Suárez, by people with ties to the Foreign Ministry, the Undersecretary of Fisheries, Juan López Cazorla, would have made the decision to only require that the boat move away from the area. of toothfish distribution, allowing you to continue fishing until March 18, when you are scheduled to enter port.

Source: Revista Puerto

Given the inaction of the authorities, the companies began to evaluate taking the case to criminal justice, denouncing the company and the captain of the ship, as well as requesting the Federal Justice to immediately return to port. On the other hand, the deportation of the “fisheries advisor” of Norwegian nationality will also be requested, for attacking natural resources and not having the necessary authorization.

The captain of the ship Tai An, according to the boarding report, is surnamed Dervich; But he would not be the only one responsible for the alleged infraction, but rather he would have received orders from the “fisheries advisor”, a euphemism for the “Fisheries” designated by the company who generally issues orders over the captain. Saetre Egil would be the name of the Norwegian advisor they would seek to deport.

Source: Stockfile FIS

On Sunday from CAPeCA, the chamber that brings together the freezer ships and via social networks announced that they will request, in addition to the requirements of the three complaining companies and "the sanctions that must be applied to the shipowner company, for a clear violation of the Federal Fisheries Law, all toothfish caught by the Tai An fishing vessel be confiscated.” This is “an illegality of great proportions,” they stated.

Author: Karina Fernández | Revista Puerto (Translated from the original in Spanish)

Related News:

• IN BRIEF - Request for reports from Deputies on the Tai An case

•  IN BRIEF - The Undersecretary of Fisheries chose not to punish illegal fishing of toothfish

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