BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Amid worries over Argentina's agricultural sales abroad, Argentine fisheries have been hit by falling exports and prospects of ever decreasing yields because of decline in marine life in the country's waters, industry scientists said.
Added to those long-term setbacks for Argentina's natural resources, the fisheries trade is also hit by labor disputes, strikes and a spillover of discontent from the farms, where opposition to the government's export taxes erupted into open unrest earlier this year.
Analysts said the reversals in Argentina's agriculture and fisheries sectors could offset benefits from stock-market gains -- the biggest in 18 years.
Argentina is currently engaged in a financial fightback as part of a strategy to get the country back into the markets and to resume a more active role in the International Monetary Fund.
Agricultural exports, including livestock sales overseas, are key to helping Argentina's economic recovery. Analysts have attributes the decline to years of neglect of the sector, mismanagement and a continuing war of attrition between business and industry and President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.
But scientific reports said sustainable fisheries management was at risk from illegal practices. The Center for Development and Sustainable Fisheries studies showed 10 percent of hake catches were discarded and 20 percent to 30 percent of catches went unreported.
The center's findings also showed a potential conflict between its recommendations to ensure sustainability of fisheries yield and the quotas set by the Fisheries Federal Council.
Fisheries industry sources told the media there was a crisis in the accuracy of figures because of underhanded deals reached after each catch.
The center called for a greater adherence to sustainable levels of fisheries yields to protect the industry and to ensure the marine biomass did not deplete beyond repair.
The center said, "Beyond arguments, we have here two iron-truths: The first is that during the last two years these stocks, instead of recovering, have decreased; the second is that if the authorities do not accomplish their commitment of adjusting and improving controls, monitoring, scientific advice, information crossing and discards, the night to come will be long and cruel for too many people," MercoPress reported.
Meanwhile, fish exports from Buenos Aires are being blocked or delayed because of labor conflicts.
The main maritime agencies operating in the capital's region warned they would stop operating in the port of Buenos Aires and take their trade to Montevideo. One of the major disputes has involved the tugs used in the fisheries operations.
The United Maritime Workers union has been denying tug services to vessels transporting fresh or frozen fish, squid and fish meal.
The Buenos Aires Navigation Center termed the disruptions "costly and unjustified" and warned it would result in huge losses for local maritime agencies and exporters.
Union leader Omar Suarez said the action was also to protest use of unregistered labor. "We are demanding that processing plants register all workers so they can have access to social security benefits and salary negotiations," MercoPress quoted him as saying.
However, Argentine media cited infighting and rivalry among trade unions vying for membership.
