Fishing activity in the province of Chubut began 2026 with strong momentum, establishing Puerto Madryn as the leading landing hub along the Patagonian coast. According to official data from the Subsecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture (SSPyA), between January 1 and March 31, the ports of Puerto Madryn, Rawson, and Comodoro Rivadavia accounted for more than 136,000 tons of catches.

The clear leader was Puerto Madryn, which recorded 79,913.4 tons, representing nearly 59% of the provincial total, driven primarily by an exceptional season for Illex squid, which reached 77,903.1 tons. This volume, harvested by the jigging fleet, confirms the species’ outstanding performance in the South Atlantic, in line with reports from international organizations highlighting high resource availability during this cycle.

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Second place went to the port of Rawson, with 46,318.4 tons, where the main driver was shrimp, accounting for virtually all landings with 46,318 tons. This resource, considered one of Argentina’s most valuable fisheries due to its strong demand in markets such as the United States, Europe, and Asia, continues to be key to the regional economy.

However, industry sources warn that Rawson’s figures do not yet reflect the final total for the season, as data from the harvest in provincial waters has not yet been fully reconciled with national records.

Comodoro Rivadavia port. Photo: Stockfile / FIS

Meanwhile, the port of Comodoro Rivadavia recorded 9,779.1 tons, with a predominance of hake (Merluccius hubbsi) south of parallel 41, totaling 7,861.7 tons. This species, a historical cornerstone of Argentina’s fishing industry, remains stable, although subject to increasingly strict controls to preserve its biomass.

Regarding hake distribution, 1,890 tons were also recorded in Puerto Madryn and just 0.2 tons in Rawson, highlighting a strong concentration of this fishery in the southern part of the province.

Rawson Port. Photo: Stockfile / FIS

Industry specialists note that the first quarter’s performance reflects not only strong resource availability but also improvements in fleet operational efficiency and favorable oceanographic conditions. Economically, while prices vary by species and market, the fishing sector continues to generate key revenues for the region, with exports in some cases exceeding $6,000 per ton (approximately USD 6,000) for high-value products such as processed shrimp.

With these figures, Chubut reaffirms its strategic role within Argentina’s national fishing industry, while Puerto Madryn strengthens its position as one of the main logistical and production hubs in the South Atlantic.