52 Argentine jigger vessels total 24,597 tons of catch in the first weeks

Strong Start to the 2025 Illex Squid Season in Argentina: More Than 27,616 Tons Captured

ARGENTINA
Wednesday, February 12, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

According to official data from the National Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, between January 1st and February 4th, 2025, a total of 27,616 tons of Illex argentinus squid were captured.

Of this volume, 24,597 tons were caught by jigging vessels, 2,600 tons by freezer trawlers, and 419 tons by fresh fish vessels.

Meanwhile, the National Institute of Fisheries Research and Development (INIDEP) published the Official Technical Report No. 01/2025 on the Illex argentinus squid fishery in Argentine waters, corresponding to the third week of the 2025 season (January 2nd to 20th).

The report, based on weekly fishing reports from 52 jigging vessels that operated for the equivalent of 377 days, reveals a total catch of 12,182 tons.

Fleet Distribution and Fishing Zones

• January 2nd to 7th: 18 jigging vessels explored the area between parallels 49° and 52° South latitude, with catches mainly concentrated in rectangle 4966.
• From January 8th: The fleet moved to the intermediate shelf, between parallels 45° and 47° South latitude, west of 62° West longitude, where 11,427 tons were caught.

Stock Identification

Information provided by onboard observers allowed for the identification of two stocks of Illex argentinus squid:

• South Patagonian Stock: Specimens in maturation/incipient maturity captured south of parallel 49° South latitude.
• Summer Spawning Stock: Small, mature, and reproducing specimens captured north of parallel 49° South from the second week onwards.

Fishing Performance

The report highlights the good average weekly yields of the Summer Spawning Stock in weeks 2 and 3, with 40 and 32 tons per day, respectively.

Next Steps

The Federal Fisheries Council has taken note of this report and is expected to continue monitoring the Illex argentinus squid fishery to ensure the sustainability of the resource.

This technical report provides valuable information for the fishing industry and stakeholders involved in the management of Illex argentinus squid in the South Atlantic.

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