The Joint Technical Commission for Maritime Front (CTMFM) established an area closed to bottom trawling in the Common Fishing Zone (CFZ), shared by Argentina and Uruguay.
According to the Resolution 10/2011, the measure shall apply between 1 November, 2011 and 29 February, 2012.
The closed area is limited by the following geographic references:
- To the north, by the parallel 36º South and its intersection with the outer limit of Rio de la Plata;
- To the south, by parallel 37° South;
- To the west, by the outer limit of the territorial waters of Argentina;
- To the east by the meridian 56º00′ West.
Under the new standards, the Chondrichthyan Working Group recommended the adoption of appropriate management measures to ensure the sustainability of cartilaginous fish.
These resources are characterized for having a slowly-growing life cycle, low reproductive potential and vulnerability to fishing pressure.
According to statistics from the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture, between 1 January and 17 October, 2011, 3,713.5 tonnes of angel fish (Squatina argentia) and 5,559.2 tonnes of shark (Mustelus schmitti) were landed in domestic ports.
In addition, 17,201.8 tonnes of rays (Potamotrygon brachyura),1,431.5 tonnes of megrim fish and 695 tonnes of other sharks were unloaded.
Meanwhile, the National Institute for Fisheries Research and Development (Inidep) and the Uruguayan authorities launched the third stage of the global season of hake (Merluccius hubbsi) in the CFZ, which will also include the study of chondrichthyans and of other species of the varied coastline specimens.
By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com