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Industry sources suggest the extension could be at least three additional days, although there is no official confirmation
Falklands Considers Extending Loligo Squid Fishing Season After Catch Rebound
FALKLAND ISLANDS
Wednesday, August 13, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)
An unexpected rise in the Galician fleet's catches opens the door for an extension in the South Atlantic fishing grounds
STANLEY (Puerto Argentino)— The Government of the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and fishing companies are in talks to decide whether to extend the fishing period for Loligo squid. This discussion follows a significant increase in catches by the fleet of 16 freezer trawlers, mostly with Galician capital, during the last days of the grace period granted by the authorities.
Adrian Amoedo
The season had started with disappointing results, which led the local government to warn of a "possible early closure." However, the rebound has been described as "spectacular" by fishing vessel owners, according to journalist Adrián Amoedo from Faro de Vigo.
Sources in the industry suggest that the extension could be for at least three additional days, although there is no official confirmation yet. The negotiations have been prolonged, as the local Executive seeks a balance between economic exploitation and the sustainability of the resource.
Dr. Alexander (Sasha) Arkhipkin, senior fisheries scientist and former principal investigator at the Falkland Islands Fisheries Department, warned in a 2022 report that Loligo squid could migrate north, outside the Falkland Islands' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), due to changes in ocean currents.
Although there is currently no public information confirming that the Falklands government plans to extend the fishing days in response to the recent increase in catches, especially concerning Galician companies, available sources lean toward a cautious management approach, prioritizing resource recovery and avoiding overexploitation.
Meanwhile, some fishermen report that even with this situation, the fleet continues to move in search of better catches, which suggests a tension between the need for exploitation and sustainability. The Loligo fishery is a key economic pillar for the fleet operating in the South Atlantic, but it is also highly sensitive to environmental factors. Uncertainty remains among fishermen, who continue to move in search of the best concentrations, reflecting the tension between economic urgency and the conservation of this key species.
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