Argentina's Federal Fisheries Council Sets 2026 Total Allowable Catch for Anchovy and Mackerel at 277,200 Tons, Up Only 1,000 Tons from Previous Year

Argentina's Federal Fisheries Council (CFP) unanimously approved Resolution 15/2026 on Thursday, November 5, setting the maximum allowable catch (CMP) for anchovy (Engraulis anchoita) and mackerel (Scomber colias) in 2026 at a combined 277,200 tons. This total represents an increase of only 1,000 tons from the previous year, with the entire increase concentrated in the southern anchovy stock.

Under the resolution, the allowable catch for all four stocks corresponds to the annual period from January 1 to December 31, 2026. Anchovy totals 225,000 tons, comprising 120,000 tons for the stock north of 41°S and 105,000 tons for the stock south of that latitude; mackerel totals 52,200 tons, comprising 14,200 tons north of 39°S and 38,000 tons south of that latitude.

The scientific basis comes from three official technical reports by Argentina's National Institute for Fisheries Research and Development (INIDEP), plus a specific recommendation for northern mackerel. The assessments distinguished between stocks with good biological indicators and exploitable space still above commercial catch levels, and stocks with limited information that must maintain precautionary standards.

Anchovy: Northern limit maintained, southern slightly raised

Official Technical Report No. 30/2026 examined the evolution of the northern anchovy stock from 1990 to 2025 using a statistical model of catch by age combined with abundance estimates from survey cruises. The results describe the stock as healthy, with moderate interannual fluctuations in biomass, supporting continuation of the 120,000-ton limit.

For the southern stock, Official Technical Report No. 32/2026 identified extremely low fishing mortality, with spawning biomass above both the target and limit biological reference points. This situation supports setting 105,000 tons for 2026, compared with the 104,000 tons authorized for 2025.

Anchovy's role in the marine food chain makes this difference significant. Its abundance supports populations of predatory fish and other ecosystem species, so the scientific advice incorporates conservation criteria alongside fishery exploitation possibilities.

Mackerel: Biological surplus in the south, caution maintained in the north

The mackerel assessment presents two scenarios. For the stock south of 39°S, Official Technical Report No. 31/2026 used an age-structured population model fitted with data from 1990 to 2025. Projections under different fishing levels determined an under-exploited status, forming the basis for the 38,000-ton recommendation.

In the north, where the harbor or estuary fleet based mainly in Mar del Plata operates, the situation requires different treatment. Scientific surveys still lack sufficient abundance estimates to fit population dynamics models. INIDEP, through DNI Letter No. 113/2026, recommended maintaining a precautionary limit of 14,200 tons.

The institute also noted that the development of this fishery is closely tied to demand from the canning industry. Commercial demand directly affects catch levels and makes landings difficult to use as an indicator of available abundance.

Gap between resource abundance and effective catch

Official records provide a production dimension to the resolution's scope. According to statistics from the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Argentina's 2025 anchovy landings were 7,192.1 tons and mackerel landings were 8,133.3 tons, both including the northern and southern stocks of each species. Both results are far below their respective maximum allowable catches.

For mackerel, 2026 activity shows a marked decline. A survey published by Pescare in October recorded landings of 418.1 tons from January to September, compared with 1,751.2 tons in the same period of 2025. The 76.1% drop is mainly related to difficulty in locating commercial fish aggregations in El Rincón and operational interruptions caused by weather conditions.

This context allows two variables of fishing activity to be distinguished: the quantity that can be caught under conservation standards, and the quantity that actually reaches port. The former depends on resource assessment and management; the latter involves the possibility of locating fish aggregations, vessel operating costs, and demand from processing plants.

CFP seeks to set 2027 limits in advance

The November decision also leaves an administrative arrangement for the next operating year. According to CFP Meeting Minutes No. 29/2026, the body agreed to request precautionary catch recommendations from INIDEP for the four stocks, so that applicable figures are available from the start of 2027.

This request matters because the 2026 limits were approved only near the end of the operating year. The established mechanism will allow precautionary reference values at the outset, with figures updated as scientific assessments progress.

Resolution 15/2026 explicitly reserves the CFP's power to review, supplement, or modify the authorized catch levels based on new technical advice.

The 2026 limits are now set. For 2027, the next step will be receiving INIDEP's recommendations and having them considered by the Federal Fisheries Council.