Sea Fishing Resources

Sea Fishing Resources San Matías Gulf, which is the gulf more north within the system of the three north-patagonian gulfs, consists of a basin with extraordinary characteristics, with regards to the Argentine coast. Besides being the more extensive gulf (reaching an area of approximately 19,700 km2), it holds within its central area, depths around 180-200 m.
It is known for being one of the better preserved marine environments in the world. Its waters are free from pollution and its fishing resources have benn exploited in a conservative way for the last two decades.

 

Gulf’s fisheries

From the point of view of biodiversity, the San Matías Gulf is brimming with a wide variety of species. In these latitudes of the Argentine Sea exists a transitional zone between two bio-geographical provinces: Argentina and Magallanes. For this reason the presence of species associated with the waters of this two great fauna complexes, are found in the gulf’s waters.The organism wealth also determines the wide variety of species captured within fishing. The majority of the catch is composed of a group of species that live in half-water (demersal) if which the Argentine Hake (Merluccius hubbsi), Longtail Hake (Macruronus magellanicus), Flounders (Paralichtis spp and Xistreuris rasile), Elephant Fish (Callorhynchus callorhynchus), Pink Cuskeel (Genypterus blacodes), Squid (Illex argentinus), South American Bream (Seriolella porosa), and several cartilaginous species like the Narrownose Smoothound Shark (Mustelus spp), Tope Shark (Galeorhynchus galeus) and Angular Angel Shark (Squatina argentina).


The Argentine Hake, an abundant species is fishing, has registered excellent, continuous unloads since 1995, catches of around 6.7 and 8.7 thousand tons. The capture of this species and its demersal accompanying fishing is carried out by a mixed coastal fleet of small scale who use bottom and demersal trawls and longlines. Coinciding with the development and expansion of artisanal and coastal fishing which the area has experimented within the last years, a strong demand for Argentine Hake and other species has arisen.


Regarding the bottom (benthic) species, the Scallop (Aequipecten tehuelchus) has been, and continues to be the species more in demand, be it for the industrial sector, as for the artisanal. Other species like the Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis platenses), the Purple Clam (Amiantis purpurata), the Ribbed Mussel (Aucalomya ater), the Half-naked Penshell (Atrina seminuda), White Clam (Protothaca antiqua) and Southern Geoduck (Panopea abreviatta) are effective catches. To a greater or lesser extent, and taking into account the demand, these resources generate activity in the shellfishing fleet, made of artisanal or small coastal vessels equipped for diving or with benthic dredges.