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Argentina flathead - bottom trawl

Overview

FIP Description 

Simplot Australia and Pacific West have decided to partner with CeDePesca to implement a FIP, with the ultimate goal of achieving a certifiable status for the Argentina flathead bottom trawl fishery.

Flathead (Percophis brasiliensis) has a wide latitudinal distribution from 23° S in Brazil to 47° S in Argentina. This species constitutes the most abundant component of the total landings of demersal coastal fish assemblage in Argentina. The highest concentrations off the Argentinean coast occur in spring, between 39° and 41° S.

The maximum size observed is about 70 cm in total length, but the most frequent sizes in the catches are in the range of 25 to 60 cm.

Flathead is caught by three fleets (inshore, coastal, and deep-sea), using bottom trawls. It is used as skinless and boneless fillet, frozen for the external market and fresh for the domestic market.

How is this FIP Doing?

54% 46%
This shows the proportion of actions in the workplan that the FIP has completed.
0%
This shows the proportion of actions that are behind schedule, on track,completed, or not yet started.
Behind On Track Complete Future
0% 100% 0% 0%
FIP Progress Rating 
C - Some Recent Progress
FIP Objective(s) 

The ultimate objective of this FIP is to achieve the fishery’s certifiable status against the MSC standard by the end of October 2028.   To this purpose, the FIP has set the following specific objectives:

  1. Promote the adoption of an explicit catch control rule and the adoption of target and limit reference points specific for the stock.
  2. Compile information that allows the understanding of the impacts of the fishery on other components of the ecosystem.
  3. Ensure that the fishery obtains explicit management objectives both in relation to the target species and other components of the ecosystem.
  4. Promote the creation of a Stakeholder Commission for the fishery in the context of the Joint Technical Commission for the Maritime Front (CTMFM) with the participation of stakeholders
  5. Promoting improvements in fishing practices and in the management of fishery impacts on other ecosystem components.
FIP Type 
Comprehensive
FIP Stage 
Stage 3: FIP Implementation
Start and Projected End Dates
November, 2023
October, 2028
Species 
Common Name 
Brazilian Flathead
Scientific Name
Percophis brasiliensis
Gear Type 
Bottom Trawl
Location
FAO Major Fishing Area
Area 41 (Atlantic, Southwest)
Exclusive Economic Zones
Country 
Argentina
Geographic Scope 
North of 39°S Within the Argentina-Uruguay Common Fishing Zone (ZCPAU) and in Argentina waters under the jurisdiction of the province of Buenos Aires.
Country 
Uruguay
Country Flag of Vessel 
Argentina
Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMO)
CTMFM
Estimated Total FIP Landings 
5990 metric tons

FIP Leads

Organization Name 
CeDePesca
Organization Type 
NGO
Primary Contact 
Nicolás Flores
Email 
nicolas.flores@cedepesca.net
Website Name 
CeDePesca
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Source URL:https://fisheryprogress.org/fip-profile/argentina-flathead-bottom-trawl