SANTA FE.- In an effort to contain the high fishing pressure in its rivers, the continued installation of Packing plants that process and export fish, Added to this is the prolonged contraction of water flows on the coast Government of Santavicino He announced that, starting next December 3, for a period of one year, Collection of river fish for export will be suspended.
This measure will cover species caught in the Paraná River and its tributaries, however Hunting is not prohibited (Taking into account multiple measurements for each piece) It also does not affect local consumption, nor the sale of fish from farms.
“With these measures, the provincial government It seeks to regulate fishing and preserve Paraná species, This ensures that this activity – on which hundreds of fishing families depend – can continue over time in a sustainable way. “We seek to pay attention to fish wealth in light of the delicate environmental situation that the region is going through.” He made a statement.
In parallel, two weeks ago, Santa Fe was created Imposing a complete ban on commercial and sport fishing for colored and brindle surubi, Valid from November 1 to December 31, 2025.
the reaction Independent fishermen did not wait long. yesterdaya group called “River workers” intermittently block vehicular traffic on National Road 168, Which connects this capital with Paraná, Entre Ríos, via a tunnel under the river “Oranga-Silvestre Bignes”. The protest took place near the Fountain of Widness, near the traditional suspension bridge over Lake Setubal, in protest against the declaration of statehood.
(Decision of the provincial government) It does not harm companies, because they can continue to collect fish in Paraná or bring them from Buenos Aires. But we have no way to continue working. 75% of hunters supply meat processing plants, while the remaining 25% sell to the local market. “That has now collapsed and is without sales,” justified the protest by Jesús Pérez, president of the Santa Fe Fishermen’s Association, in an interview with Nation.
“We demand the return of (Regional) Law No. 12212, which allows the attention of resources for three months a year. However, The Santa Fe government decided to close exports that do not guarantee the conservation of resources because companies buy in Entre Ríos and Buenos Aires. “We want to take care of the resources, but also protect the families of the river workers,” Perez insisted.
For its part, the Santa Fe government explained that the decision responds to A “Critical Environmental Context”, Since the latest studies of the EPIPES project – which integrates the nation, provinces, universities and maritime provinces – revealed A A sharp decline in hydrometric levels and the number of shad populations with reproductive potential: Only six out of every 100 specimens are able to reproduce. “This information is alarming, since “Sapalo is the base of the Paraná River food chain and one of the main species destined for local consumption and export.” He confirmed.
in this regard, enrique Estevez, The Minister of Environment and Climate Change noted that Shad It’s a The main link to the ecosystem as well as to the fishing economy. “The scientific evidence is convincing: we need to reduce extractive pressure to ensure its sustainability,” the official said, then clarified that “the measure will not affect domestic consumption or export of farmed fish.” “We seek to preserve biodiversity and ensure the future of fishing activity.” Projection.
The shortage of mature fish, especially shad, is a serious concern due to overfishing and historic decline in the river. Meanwhile, the Santa Fe government has implemented measures to protect fish populations, such as a temporary ban on exports starting in December 2025 and a permanent or temporary ban on certain species such as surubi, dorado and paco.
The sectors consulted by this newspaper agreed that ““The critical situation of tarpon is caused by multiple factors: prolonged decline in the Paraná River, low temperatures, and intense fishing pressure.”
“Current channel levels create a discontinuity between the river and spawning lakes, making natural reproduction difficult. In addition to capturing adult specimens – which are the only ones with reproductive capacity – Which further aggravates the situation.” They summarized the explanations.
It must be remembered that shad, which feed on sediments and organic matter from the river bottom, are also a staple food for species such as dorado and surubai. For this reason, Its decline affects not only the ecosystem, but also the regional economy and internal consumption. It supplies artisanal fishermen, meat factories and local markets.
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