The 2025 in-season fishing season for Argentine squid (Illex) officially ended on June 10, with a catch of nearly 204,000 tons, setting the highest production record in 17 years, which marks a positive recovery trend of wild resources in the South Atlantic.
Fishing Achievements: Total catch of Illex squid nearly 204,000 tons, a 17-year high
According to statistics from Argentina's Ministry of Agriculture, the total output of this fishing season is 203,956 tons, an increase of 33% compared with 154,000 tons last year, setting the highest record in 17 years.
Among them, the South Buenos Aires - Northern Patagonia (SBNP) in the northern management unit performed particularly well. The jigging fleet caught 84,000 tons, the highest in 28 years. The last higher catch of Illex squid can be traced back to 1998 (94,000 tons, completed by nearly 150 jigging boats).
This year, the Argentine national jigging fleet consists of 78 fishing vessels (more than half of which are funded and built by China), and has achieved considerable output in the waters around 44°S latitude. The bumper harvest in the SBNP is particularly surprising.
Reasons for growth of Illex squid: Favorable marine environmental conditions
Ivanovich, head of the cephalopod project at INIDEP, said that the growth in Illex squid production is due to favorable marine environmental conditions, which have promoted squid reproduction: most squid eggs have hatched successfully, and the larvae have sufficient food to grow to the juvenile stage. At the same time, the surplus food supply has allowed the squid to reach commercial size L (mantle length of about 30 cm).
In addition, a second batch of squid appeared in the SBNP this year, but their quantity and individual size are smaller than those of the first batch, and the density has decreased. A similar phenomenon occurred in 2023, when the fishing ground was temporarily closed to ensure the growth of samples. At present, these squids have entered the breeding stage, which is expected to increase the number of breeding individuals.
Export situation of Argentine squid(Illex argentinus)
In 2024, Argentina's seafood exports reached 539,289 tons, a year-on-year increase of 10%, with an output value of 2 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 12%. Argentine squid was purchased by 33 countries around the world, including China, South Korea, Spain, Italy, Japan and Vietnam.
The growth in squid production in 2025 will further consolidate Argentina's position in the global seafood market. China and Italy saw significant year-on-year increases in imports last year, with growth rates reaching 24% and 45% respectively.
Future outlook: Biomass reaches 100,000 tons, sustainability needs attention
The northern management area is rich in biological resources, with a biomass of 100,000 tons in April, the highest in recent years.
Foreign fleets operate outside Argentina's exclusive economic zone. Among them, there are 300 fishing vessels in the area from south of 44°S to 48°S, with a catch of about 180,000 tons; there are 60 fishing vessels north of 44°S, with a catch of 30,000 tons. Ivanovich pointed out that the high output of the Argentine fleet has limited the catch for squid of foreign fleets.
This year, the Argentine national scad jigging fleet has added 5 fishing vessels, with strong fishing capacity and cargo capacity. However, Ivanovich believes that the existing number of squid fishing vessels is sufficient, and the addition is inappropriate. It is necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of resources and avoid excessively fast operations and too short fishing seasons due to too many fishing vessels.
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