Yahoo. Retrieved February 6, 2022, from https://news.yahoo.com/south-america-squid-left-exposed-192852907.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFscoZPAPlFjIekuFDJj9MQ7NF7Iy2mIcgeGc4V0D-e21NdoEjkbNErgvLfC6Mw7oXSXIvrn2rd6KOgb2foY2Rt1IJeJ-NHS2UfF6mOFWw6BLo8dyzjhd5hAbif0bW-nV65-fS_B_P9bKdcMz0T0vMmw_P8CrgqNFHQ5nxXNKq3c

Negotiators have failed in attempting to strike a deal to protect threatened squid stocks off the coast of South America. The South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization, or SPRFMO had a meeting in which Ecuador proposed that there be an observer aboard all ships by 2028. The observer would regulate that the ships unload their catches only in ports instead of at sea to giant refrigerated vessels. None of the measures proposed were approved or agreed upon. Biologists warn that thousands of ecosystems will be destroyed if fishing is not regulated better. 

 

With the regulations failing to pass, a component of South America’s fishing industry is in danger along with the health of ocean ecosystems. Chinese vessels are being flagged at a high rate of going into South America waters and unloading onto refrigerated vessels that are being sent back to Asia. But, it is currently very hard to regulate them without an observer aboard. The proposal was to have observers by 2028 which is a very reasonable date. So, the fact that it was rejected does not bode well for South American ecosystems or local fishermen. The waters off South America are notorious for illegal fishing practices and the fact the proposal was denied only makes it seem there will be no end in sight. Native animal populations will continue to dwindle and people will lose jobs.