Between 1 January and 30 May, 2013 Argentinean maritime ports received a total of 314,733.9 tonnes of fishing resources. This figure shows a 4.2 per cent rise compared to the cumulative volume between the first day of 2012 and 31 May of that year, when 301,771.1 tonnes were landed.
Out of the total landings this year, 182,080.7 tonnes were fish; 121,362 tonnes of molluscs; and 11,291.2 tonnes of crustaceans, according to statistics from the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (Minagri).
The highest catch volumes were those of squid (Illex argentinus), which totalled 118,122.9 tonnes until 30 May, 2013, 29.5 per cent more than what was landed until 31 of May last year (91,202.9 tonnes).
The second place was that of hake (Merluccius hubbsi), with 100,531.9 tonnes, representing an increase of 0.6 per cent when compared with 99,864.2 tonnes landed between 1 January and 31 May, 2012.
In addition, 5,569.7 tonnes of trout (Cynoscion striatus), 2,960 tonnes of Patagonian flounder (Paralichthys patagonicus), 2,675.6 tonnes of red snapper (Pagrus pagrus), 2,330.2 tonnes of narrownose smooth-hound shark (Mustelus schmitti) and 1,246.7 tonnes of red cod (Salilota australis) were landed.
As to shellfish, 3,157.8 tonnes of Patagonian scallops (Zygochlamys patagonica) were landed and in terms of crustaceans, 9,022.7 tonnes of shrimp (Pleoticus muelleri) were landed until 30 May, 2013.
Meanwhile, until 31 May last year a total of 2,225.1 tonnes and 12,570.7 tonnes were landed, respectively.
Mar del Plata (Buenos Aires) continued maintaining its leadership in the domestic fisheries, as it received 155,490.4 tonnes of fish in its docks.
Puerto Deseado (Santa Cruz) was second with 55,095.1 tonnes.
It was followed by Puerto Madryn (Chubut), with 46,320.9 tonnes; Ushuaia (Tierra del Fuego), with 19,388.7 tonnes; and Caleta Olivia/Paula (Santa Cruz), with 13,164.8 tonnes, among other port terminals.
According to the Undersecretariat, between 1 January and 30 May, 2013 the fleet that recorded the highest level of catches was that of the national jiggers with 101,092.4 tonnes.
Behind it, fresh fish vessels were located, with 77,407.6 tonnes; trawlers, with 64,182.9 tonnes; and coastal vessels, with 39,593.7 tonnes, among other vessels.