Argentine red shrimp season closes nearly a month early, national waters shut down before September 13
The Argentine red shrimp fishing season in national waters entered its final phase on September 9, with the competent authority setting that date as the last day for vessel dispatch. Operations are expected to conclude entirely before September 13, nearly a month earlier than the usual season closure in previous years.
On September 9, the Argentine red shrimp (Pleoticus muelleri) fishery in national waters entered its final phase. Based on the biological recommendations of the National Institute for Fisheries Research and Development (INIDEP), the Argentine Undersecretariat of Aquatic Resources and Fisheries set September 9 as the last date for dispatching vessels for red shrimp, with operations expected to conclude entirely before September 13—nearly a month earlier than the usual season closure in previous years.
Prior to this, the National Directorate of Fisheries Coordination and Control had decided to close directed red shrimp fishing in Zones 4 and 5 from 00:00 on September 8. Before 23:59 on September 9, no vessels targeting red shrimp will be dispatched in national waters, and the existing fleet will gradually finish operations.
The early closure is related to the resource situation in the late stage of the red shrimp season. INIDEP assessments show that the incidental catch ratio in recent red shrimp fishing grounds has risen, with bycatch of hake (Merluccius hubbsi) exceeding the permitted upper limit of 20%; meanwhile, the concentration of red shrimp in some areas has declined, with shrimp aggregations becoming dispersed, affecting catch per unit effort.
The reproductive phase is also an important factor in this season closure arrangement. Scientific surveys show that as of the end of August, more than 75% of female red shrimp in waters outside the closed areas had entered the mature or mating stage, and the resource is beginning a new reproductive cycle.
After the above biological and operational indicators changed, the Argentine fisheries authority adjusted fishing arrangements in accordance with technical recommendations from INIDEP and the Federal Fisheries Council (CFP), first closing some sub-areas and then setting the final vessel dispatch date, in order to reduce fishing pressure on the resource at the end of the season.
The 2026 Argentine red shrimp fishing season in national waters officially opened on April 16, and from May 29, the commercial fleet was authorized to operate in designated areas within the Permanent Hake Juvenile Closure Area (AVPJM).
This year's red shrimp catches reached high levels in June and July. Landings in June were 38,975 tonnes, rising to 45,561 tonnes in July, an increase of 16.9% over June; after entering August, catches fell significantly, with monthly landings dropping to 28,944 tonnes, a month-on-month decrease of 36.5%, more than 16,600 tonnes less than July.