Falklands : Argentine Coast Guard Seizes Korean Poacher
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 22.05.2005 (Article Archived on 05.06.2005)
The Washington Post reports that last week the Argentine Coastguard after a two-hour chase in 40kt head winds, seized a Korean jigger off Comodoro Rivadavia.
Photo (c) Argentine Coast Guard - An Argentine patrol boat approaches a Korean Jigger.
ARGENTINE COAST GUARD SEIZES KOREAN POACHER
By J. Brock (FINN)
An Argentine Patrol Vessel approaches a Korean Jigger
The Washington Post reports that last week the Argentine Coastguard after a two-hour chase in 40kt head winds, seized a Korean jigger off Comodoro Rivadavia. Onboard was found an undetermined amount of Illex Argentinas, a species of Squid that is also fished in the Falklands. According to the report, this is the fourth vessel caught thus far this year.
Fines could be as much as $350,000.00 for the jigger’s owners, confiscation of the stock and additional fines for the Master.
It is the fact that there are poachers gleaning the protected zones after an appalling season that is worrying to the region in general. Both the Argentine and Falklands Zones had to close in April due to fears about next year’s recruitment of Illex. This Korean vessel was taking what potentially could be spawning stock for next year’s effort. This makes the poaching even more sinister.
The practice of poaching stocks that are in decline is not unique to Korea. Portuguese, Uruguayan, Taiwanese, Chinese and Japanese – the list extends even further - registered jiggers and/or long-liners are involved in taking fish without a licence (poaching) and despite their respective Governments’ best efforts, the practice seems to be increasing, no matter what the targeted species are.
Unlike the rather optimistic review of the squid stocks listed in the Washington Post article, the truth for Illex is far different as there have been two bad seasons in the past three years. Unlike other fish stocks, Illex only have a one-year life cycle. If the spawning stock is taken then potentially Illex could be commercially extinct within a year. The poachers know this but go after the stock anyway.
It is important that poachers are caught more often and punished according to the severity of the crime against the stocks that bring in much needed money for the Governments of the protected areas. The lower stock numbers, the higher fines should be. Persistence in patrolling and co-ordination between Governments in the region will go a long way in protecting straddling stocks that we both depend upon.
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