Sustainable Development Countermeasure Of Squid Fishing Fishery In The Southwest Atlantic Ocean

Argentine shortfin squid, Illex argentinus, is an important commercial squid in southwest Atlantic Ocean. It is not only plays an important role at marine ecosystem in southwest Atlantic Ocean, but also the main fishing target for Argentina and other countries and regions in the coastal area, as well as China(including Taiwan province)and other distant-water fishery countries. The fishing ground of Argentine shortfin squid is mainly distributed in the Argentina EEZ, the high sea water and the Falkland fishery reserve area. Because of the reasons such as the complicated composition of the Argentine shortfin squid’s population, the varying recruitment and the different spatial distribution of the fishing ground in different years make Chinese squid fishing vessels’ production have the high risk. And the uncertainty caused by the natural resources restricts the development of the pelagic fishery enterprises. Therefore, this study combined with the actual situation of Shanghai Jin You Deepsea Fishery Ltd.Company, utilize the production statistic of the Chinese vessels and Shanghai Jin You Deepsea Fishery Ltd. Company’s vessels, and the samples of Argentine shortfin squids and the water temperature data obtained form remote sensing to analyze the basic biology of Argentine shortfin squid(including mantel length, body weight, sex maturity stage, etc.) and the relationship between fishing ground’s distribution and sea surface temperature(SST). Discussing the composition of squid population and the difference of the fishing ground is aimed to provide the basis of utilizing the resources of Argentine shortfin squid scientifically. At the same time, we also discussed the factors influenced the production in the Argentina EEZ combined with the domestic social economy and the policy of fishery management etc. Finally, we put forward relevant suggestions and countermeasures to ensure Chinese squid fishery sustainable developing in the southwest Atlantic. The main results are as follows:(1)The comparative study of fishery biology of Illex argentinus in the southwestAtlantic ocean. The resource and fishing ground of Argentine shortfin squid changes greatly. The studies have shown that the suitable SST of fishing ground not only related to month, but also related to different years. The monthly optimum SST from January to April in 2012 were 14.8-16 ℃, 14.4-16 ℃, 12.4-13.6 ℃ and 9.5-11 ℃respectively. The monthly optimum SST from January to May in 2013 were12-13.2℃, 13.2-14.8℃, 10.5-12.5℃, 10-11.5℃ and 9-10℃, respectively. The monthly optimum SST from January to July in 2014 were 11.6-12.8℃, 12.8-14℃,12.4-13.6℃, 9-10.5℃, 7.8-9.6℃, 7.2-8.4℃ and 5.4-6.8℃, respectively. Alteration of the fishing ground is related to the strength of the Brazil current and the Falkland cold current.The studies have shown that the catch composition in 2012-2013 fishing season mainly come from SPS, but also mixed with some smaller SSS, in the late of the fishing season mainly from BNS. The catch composition in 2014 fishing season is mainly SSS and SPS, SSS is priority to the early stage of the season and SPS is priority to the late stage.(2) The analysis of fishing policy environment in Argentina. The studies have shown that not only the population structure of Argentine shortfin squid is complicated but also the recruitment of resource fluctuate a lot, and the difference of the fishing ground distribution is obviously, at the same time there is a higher fishing risk in the high sea ground, but it is relatively lower in the Argentina EEZ and the fishing season is longer. For this reason, the best choice to ensure the production of squid in the southwest Atlantic is to access fishing into Argentine. With the deepening co-operation between Chinese and Argentina’s government in aspect of foreign policy and social economy, the timing of seeking the international fishery cooperation is gradually mature. At present, only several Chinese enterprises such as Shanghai Fishery(Group) Cooperation, Zhejiang Ocean Family Co. LTD. and Chinese Fishery Co. LTD. have invested and cooperated with Argentine. In the furture, accessing fishing into Argentine has a broad prospect.The studies have shown that the continental shelf of Argentine is broad, the junction of Brazil current and Falkland cold current creates a good environment condition for forming the fishing ground. The fishery resources of Argentina’s sea are rich, the main economic sorts are Hubbsi, Pleoticus Muelleri and Illex argentinus, the current yield ranged stable from 0.8 to 1million tons, the above three species are welcomed in the international market.In recent years, the Argentina’s economy is in recession. But Argentina’s government pursues a policy of encouraging foreign investment, it formulated many policies, including foreign investors enjoying their own national treatment in order to attract investment, and issuing many preferential policies, such as startuping project cost cuts, tax breaks, financing, etc. Argentina’s government released guiding price for squid products’ export, the export price should not be less than 85% of the guiding price, to ensure the squid’s market price relatively stable. Therefore, it’s the best time to launch fishery cooperation with Argentine.More than 60% of economic population in Argentine have joined the union, it is the largest number of joining the union in the western countries. The powerful union will protect their interest all the moment, therefore the management pattern for Chinese crew is not suitable for Argentina’s crew, the vessels have accessed fishing into Argentine must strictly abide by the relevant provisions of the union of Argentina.Argentina’s fishery management system is a transferable fishing quota system.Fishery management also ruled that 20% of the total yield should be processed by the processing plant to drive their own employment. Accessing to fish in Argentine mainly including two forms, the time charter and the joint venture, the second pattern has a less risk. The project of Mar Del Plata belongs to Shanghai Jin You Deepsea Fishery LTD. Company is just using this pattern.The diplomatic situation between China and Argentine is in the best period in history, has signed more than 10 investment agreement, the fishery department of each country have meet and negotiate for several times in recent years, and have got many intention for further cooperation in fishery. Especially, for the problem of territorial dispute on Falkland Island between Argentine and England, some European country’s fishing vessels gradually withdraw from Argentine, it provided a space for Chinese fishing vessels to access fishing into Argentine. For instance, Shanghai Jin You Deepsea Fishery LTD. Company bought the Altamar company’s 100% of its stake in Madeleine port city, and its running is in a good condition, has obtained the good economic benefits.(3)Discussing the problem of development of squid fishing fishery in the southwest Atlantic. Statistical analysis shows that, the number of Chinese fishing vessel fished in the EEZ of Argentine during 2008 to 2014 is 10-11, cumulative yearly yield is 0.9-4.6 ten thousand tons, the average vessel yearly yield is 970-4600 tons.While on the high seas, the number of fishing vessels is 16-153, cumulative yearlyyield is 2500-301100 tons, average vessel yearly yield is 162-3154 tons. Based on the analysis results, the risk of fishing on the high sea is much bigger than fishing in the EEZ, from the perspective of the ratio of maximum and minimum of production, it will bear 24 times risk than that fishing on the high sea, from a single vessel in the ratio of maximum and minimum of the yearly yield, it will bear 4 times risk than that fishing on the high sea.Shanghai Jin You Deepsea Fishery LTD. Company is the earliest company to fish in the high sea of southwest Atlantic in China. According to the statistical production data of its inside and outside the EEZ of Argentine, the yield in the EEZ is much more stable than the yield on the high sea. The number of fishing vessel fish in the EEZ is2-4, cumulative yearly yield is 2700-14300 tons, average vessel yearly yield is722-4231 tons. However on the high sea, the number of vessel is 0-4, cumulative yearly yield is 95-8900 tons, average vessel yearly yield is 47-2978 tons, totally cumulative yield is 3.71 ten thousand tons. The total yield and the average vessel yield on the high sea is lower than the EEZ by 58.7% and 44.0% respectively.The statistical analysis shows that, during 2010 to 2013, the production cost of squid fishing vessel “Hu Yu907” and “Hu Yu908” increased by 22.19% and 33.94%.The average production in this 4 years is 17.33 million yuan, which fuel and fishing gear is 8.648 million yuan, accounting for 49.89% of the total cost; Followed by sales cost 3.1197 million yuan, accounting for 17.99% of the total cost.According to the analysis, the price of Argentine shortfin squid is not only related to the yield but also closely related to the size of the catches.In the viewpoint of squid fishing production and management, the number of vessel on the high sea is big, the fishing gear is uneven, the overall quality of crew is low are the main problem in the squid fishery, which affects the sustainable development of Chinese squid fishery.(4) Sustainable development countermeasure of squid fishing fishery in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean. In order to ensure the sustainable development of squid fishing in the southwest Atlantic, we combined with the resource situation of Argentine shortfin squid’s fishing ground, the social economy and fishery management in Argentine and the existing problem in the squid fishery to put forward some suggestions. 1) Strengthening the cooperation with Argentine to access fishing into Argentine; 2) Adjusting the production and management strategy to enhance the forward-looking, including the adjustments based on the resources and economystatement, adjusting sales strategy etc.; 3) Strengthening and upgrading the equipment of the fishing vessels, and new technology applications, including development and application of LED fish lamp, application of fishery forecast system, reducing production costs actively by improving ship form, strengthening the studying of separate machine of catches at the same time and hook’s color to enhance the skill of jigging and efficiency of working; 4) Strengthening the training management of the crew, including strengthening the construction and execution of the management system of the fishing boat, strengthening the training of crew’s management ability,strengthening training of the safety operation, strengthening training of processing the catches; 5) Improving management of fishery companies, including strengthening the adjustment of labor and capital relationship in Argentine, strengthening the humanistic care for the crew on the high sea; 6) Looking for backup fishing grounds actively, such as Symlectoteuthis oualaniensis in the Indian Ocean or Nototodarus gouldi in the waters of Australia, in order to avoid the impact brought by the recession of Illex argentinus.