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After a five-year fishing ban, Cantabrian anchovy returns to the market. (Photo: ANFACO)
Cantabrian anchovy resurfaces in the market
SPAIN
Wednesday, March 17, 2010, 22:30 (GMT + 9)
Some 500 kilogrammes of anchovy originating from Cantabrian waters arrived Tuesday at the Guipuzcoa market for auction, following almost five years during which that fishing-ground was closed.
The anchovy was mixed with sardine and sold to the public for EUR 21.
The fishing-ground of the most prized and valuable fish of Cantabria opened 1 March 2010. The entire catch was sold fresh for consumption, El Diario Montanes reports.
Three vessels of Guetaria (Guipuzcoa) – San Prudencio, Santa Ana and Stella Maris – captured the pelagic species at some 20 miles north of the channel entrance of Pasajes.
On average, the first anchovies fished in the Cantabrian were medium-sized, 38 in size, that is, fish per kg.
Fifty fish per kilo is the smallest allowed for auction and they correspond to very young anchovies; those of 22, 23 or 24 fish per kilo are the largest of all.
For the sector, the first harvest auctioned off represents a good omen.
The anchovy remains at considerable depth during the winter and, as the temperature of the water rises and its sexual organs become active, it approaches the coast to lay eggs.
First it does so descending from the French coasts, from the channel entrance of Bordeaux to Arcachon and Las Landas and, later, it crossed the Cantabrian from East to West, parallel to the estuaries, at 10, 15 or 20 miles of distance.
According to Leandro Azkue, director of Resources of the Guilds Federation of Gipuzkoa, "[we] need to wait and see if it is possible to get a regular supply with continuous catches over time."
Also "when mixed with sardine, caught in March, it can be premature," he said.
The fisheries ministers of
the European Union (EU) fisheries ministers signed an agreement last 15 December for the distribution of fishing quotas of the Community fleet in 2010, which included the re-opening of the anchovy fishery in the gulf as from 1 January of this year.
The agreement establishes a distribution of total allowable catch (TAC) of 80 per cent for Spain and the remaining 20 per cent for France.
Catches will be limited to 7,000 tonnes and conditional upon new scientific reports that will be released during the next European spring.
Spanish vessels will be able to capture 5,500 tonnes and French fishers, the rest.
The sector estimates that there are more anchovies in April, since March is not a ‘natural’ month for capturing the species.
Related article:
- Anchovy fishing launched in Bay of Biscay
By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
Photo Courtesy of FIS Member  ANFACO-CECOPESCA -Asociacion Nacional de Fabricantes de Conservas de Pescados y Mariscos-
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