Juan Redini is the president of CAPA, the chamber that groups the companies that fish squid within the exclusive economic zone. For the leader, for Argentina to agree with China on an investment plan that includes such assistance would be a catastrophe for the sector it represents.

 

"It would be the beginning of the end for the national jigging fleet," said Redini, for whom that Chinese interest that was translated into a note from a law firm to the authorities of the Comodoro shipyard, "does not withstand the slightest analysis nor does it have the slightest sense".

 

Chinese companies Zhoushan Huaxi Ocean Fhiseries, Hongdong Fisheries, Ronggheng Rongyuan and Shanghai Kunting Import are interested in developing a logistics epicenter in Comodoro Rivadavia, which has the approval of the port authorities.

 

"It implies that the fleet that generates unfair competition with your products can operate in the same spaces and use the same infrastructure as national companies that pay much more salaries, taxes and are subject to current legislation. I really don't think it will happen, it would be crazy ”, said the president of CAPA.

 

The national jigging fleet, beyond all the abysmal differences that separate it from the foreign fleet, have something in common: the market where the squid caught by the boats goes. "Our business depends to a great extent on what they fish at mile 201. I do not see possible that they pay what we pay operating from Argentine ports," said Redini and gave the example of the cost of unloaded the cargo.

 

“The crew of the Chinese fleet must earn 100 dollars a month and they must take care of the unloading when they make the transshipment on the high seas. Here a 750-ton boat pays 14 million pesos, 170 thousand dollars, to do it on a regular schedule and return quickly to the fishing area, "he said.

 

 

“It is impossible to sustain such a fishing effort without management for much longer. In this way, in a short time, the resource will be exhausted, which is the same ”, considered the CAPA leader, who understands that this regulation has to take into account biological, economic and social aspects that guarantee the sustainability of the squid, but also of the Argentine companies that fish it.

 

 

 

For the moment, CAPA acknowledged that they had not made a formal statement about the tangible intention, based on the letter from the Chinese shipowners. "It is not the first time that they say they have investment projects in Argentine ports and they never did, but we are still concerned about all this and we make it visible," concluded Redini.