Fishing predation in the waters of the South Atlantic

Roberto García Moritan

09/09/2021 20:23

• Clarín.com

• Opinion

Updated 09/09/2021 20:23

The predation of the Patagonian squid (Loligo gahi) in the waters surrounding the Malvinas is worrisome in terms of the preservation of species, vulnerable marine ecosystems and the political effects it represents.

At the fishing ground twice what is recommended by responsible and sustainable fishing is caught.

The last three seasons have registered historical overflows, in particular in relation to the Loligo squid such as Illex, and it seriously doubts that the Malvinas fishery is being managed in accordance with the codes of good practices and guidelines of the United Nations Organization for Agriculture. and Food (FAO).

Overfishing would show that relevant fisheries assessment standards are not being observed and that other species and habitats in the South Atlantic are being affected.

An example is the Loligo squid fishing in 2021. The Spanish fleet, including that with the illegal flag of the islands, is in full swing to complete the second harvest of the year with an annual catch that could well exceed the record of 100 thousand tons registered in 1995.

An alarming overfishing that reflects the excess of permissibility of the colonial authorities of the archipelago.

A possible reason for this lack of control could be that the Malvinas no longer has the same margins of economic and commercial comfort that granted it the privilege of belonging to the United Kingdom to the European Union.

However, the colony has achieved with the tutelage of Spain that 75 thousand tons per year of Loligo squid is exempted from the payment of tariffs in the European Union for the triennium 2021-2023.

The efforts of the Spanish Secretary General for Fisheries to the EU were decisive in eliminating the 8% rate for Loligo squid and obtaining an autonomous tariff quota (ATQ).

It should not be ruled out that the same happens with squid and hake from the Malvinas, which today have a tariff of 6% and 15% respectively.

Likewise, Spanish fishing companies, with the consent of Madrid, are negotiating for the Malvinas loligo a certification seal from the Marine Stewarship Council (MSC), a blue fish eco-label issued in London to guarantee fishing respectability.

A purpose that seeks in this case to obtain an indicator to conceal flexible fishing practices as well as geopolitical objectives.

To claim an MSC certification on fishery resources in waters that are still in dispute according to the United Nations, would be an affront of political scope since it is technically found in the fishing canons not documented, not regulated and, therefore, illegal.

However, the solid British Spanish fishing company in the South Atlantic could well, due to the weight of both governments, obtain the MSC for the Malvinas fishing ground as they achieved the ATQ tariff exception of the European Union.

It is to be expected that Argentina will wake up from diplomatic anemia in the defense of fishing interests and the protection of ecosystems in the South Atlantic.

So far the results are disappointing.

Roberto García Moritán is a former vice chancellor.