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Shrimp is exported from Argenti...from flour to pharmaceuticals.

Shrimp is exported from Argentina as a whole and as tails. Spain and Japan prefer whole shrimp. China and the USA prefer only tails. Processing the shrimp in the country adds value to the product and creates thousands of jobs. It also leaves behind almost 50 tons of heads that significantly impact the environment. Some companies still throw shrimp heads in the municipal garbage dump open pits in the province of Chubut. In the past years, this has caused severe environmental problems in Patagonia, such as soil and groundwater contamination, the release of gases into the atmosphere, and the growth of the kelp gull population, which feeds on these scraps and can serve as carriers of diseases for whales. In 2021, some companies started a project to treat shrimp waste. Although it is still being developed, shrimp remnants can be used in various industries, from flour to pharmaceuticals.

Workwear boots and pants from t...ry in the southern hemisphere.

Workwear boots and pants from the seafood processing company Veraz are stained with the red pigment of shrimp. Argentina has today the biggest wild capture shrimp (Pleoticus muelleri) fishery in the southern hemisphere.

In 2011, 20 sharks arrived per ...s of exploitation on these spe

In 2011, 20 sharks arrived per month at the Mundo Marino Foundation due to the fishery's impact. A Scallop (Carcharias taurus)) and four gatopardo (Notorynchus cepedianus) weren't able to be released and were kept for educational purposes. Mirta García, professor at the University of La Plata and Conicet researcher, explains that sharks have a physiology similar to mammals because they take at least eight years to reach sexual maturity. Then, their gestation period is two years. This means that they do not have a great capacity to regenerate. In addition, in the case of scallops, they do not usually give birth to more than two offspring. "They feed on fish, although they may eventually prey on other species. Sharks are top predators, which means that when they are missing, there is a cascading effect downwards because other species start to flourish, which in turn demands more food. So, there is a progressive breakdown of the whole ecosystem. Although scallops inhabit other regions, the southwestern part of the Atlantic is critical for the species' survival," says García. Bycatch is that portion of the capture discarded at sea dead or severely injured because it has little or no economic value, or its retention is prohibited by law. It is well known that bycatch is of great concern both ecologically and in fisheries management, particularly shrimp fisheries. Sharks, skates, and rays are frequently caught as bycatch, Worldwide, there is increasing concern over the capture of elasmobranchs. The bycatch of elasmobranchs is often not recorded, and when it is, the species' composition remains to be discovered to be discovered. This is due to the traditionally low value of most shark species relative to the target species they are typically caught. These factors have translated into these species needing higher priority for fisheries management. This lack of species-specific data poses a significant challenge to quantifying the impacts of exploitation on these spe

The processing plant on board a...tion through its eastern exit.

The processing plant on board a shrimp fishing vessel in Argentine waters is currently halted as the crew works to haul in the net with a new catch destined for this facility. This vessel can bring in 30,600 kg of fresh shrimp upon completion through its eastern exit.

In 2023, the Mundo Marino Found...ng of these charismatic birds.

In 2023, the Mundo Marino Foundation rescued a Magellanic penguin entangled in fishing lines. In Argentina, more than a million pairs of Magellanic penguins inhabit 71 colonies along a 4,500-kilometer stretch of the coast. Borboroglu, the director of The Penguin Society, highlighted that the current challenges faced by penguins include climate change, pollution, the adverse effects of fishing, and habitat degradation. He emphasized that the mismanagement of commercial fisheries is a major global threat to marine environments. The competition for food in penguin feeding areas and the incidental capture during fishing operations pose "significant impacts" on the well-being of these charismatic birds.

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ORANGE GOLD

Copyright sofia lopez mañan 2024

Updated Oct 2024

Summary

The Patagonian shrimp industry, centered in Chubut, Argentina, has brought significant economic prosperity to the region but also raised concerns about the impact on marine health and sovereignty. The intensive fishing practices associated with the industry have led to bycatch, pollution, and negative effects on other marine species and industries. The story highlights the need for careful regulation and consideration of the delicate balance between economic development and environmental sustainability.

2024 @pulitzercenter

The Patagonian shrimp industry, centered in Chubut, Argentina, has brought significant economic prosperity to the region but also raised concerns about the impact on marine health and sovereignty. The intensive fishing practices associated with the industry have led to bycatch, pollution, and negative effects on other marine species and industries. The story highlights the need for careful regulation and consideration of the delicate balance between economic development and environmental sustainability.

2024 @pulitzercenter

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