Photo: Stockfile/FIS

Illex Squid Season Resumes Strong Pace After South Atlantic Storm

ARGENTINA
Friday, February 14, 2025, 02:00 (GMT + 9)

Following several days of inactivity due to a severe storm affecting the Argentine coastline from Mar del Plata to the Falkland Islands, the jigging fleet has resumed fishing operations for Illex argentinus squid in the Argentine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The weather event also impacted the foreign fleet operating in adjacent international waters, delaying catches of squid that, due to overflow, migrate from the EEZ to the shelf up to 200 meters deep.

The return to activity has been positive, with catches maintaining the levels of abundance, quality, and size observed previously. Activity is concentrated in an extensive area between parallels 44°15´S and 47°S, about 150 nautical miles northeast of Puerto Deseado.

This wide operating area demonstrates the availability of the resource and the equitable distribution of catches among vessels. Some jiggers have already begun their third trip, having successfully unloaded 1,500 tons in their two previous trips, such as the vessels Hu Shun Yu, Lu Qing Yuan Yu 287, Zhou Yu, and Hai de Li 601, among others.

Predominant catches consist mostly of S-size specimens, with the occasional presence of L-size individuals, which anticipates a stable and sustained exploitation dynamic in the coming weeks, according to the Argentine publication Pescare.

Squid unloading in Puerto Madryn

Available data indicate smooth operations in terms of catches, landings, and marketing, which translates into encouraging statistics for the sector. For the moment, the season is shaping up with similar levels to the previous year, with stable and sustained prices, thus ensuring a favorable scenario for the fishing industry.

In the larger trawler segment, squid volumes are also noteworthy, which allows for improved production profitability and, above all, substantially reduces trip time in large freezers.

In contrast, the foreign fleet operating outside the 200-mile limit shows a less auspicious performance. This fleet, composed of 337 jiggers and 41 trawlers, has experienced an irregular season, with daily catches significantly lower than those of the Argentine fleet. This reflects the firmness of squid prices in the international circuit, with sustained and absorbent demand. This situation suggests that the squid is in a growth phase within the EEZ, favored by marine currents that move it northeast, coinciding with optimal feeding and reproductive conditions for the species.

Related News:

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

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