An overview of the leading countries in the hake market sector

Argentina and Peru

The National Directorate for Fisheries Coordination set the 2012 TAC for Argentinean hake (Merluccius hubbsi) at 313 000 tonnes. Earlier this year, the Argentine government extended the export duty reduction for fishery products, including hake, shrimp and squid, for a further six months until mid-June. The reduction in export duty was made initially in response to the EU’s decision to set import prices, but it was also seen as a measure to encourage local production. For hake the duty was reduced from 10% to 5% for H&G hake while hake produced by other processes was reduced to 1%. In another move, the Argentine government is trying  to strengthen links with less traditional markets such as China, Russia and Brazil because of the weakening of established markets such as Spain and Italy. In Brazil, companies have already shown interest in importing hake from Argentina in order to meet domestic demand.

In Peru, the Ministry of Production (PRODUCE) has set up a Multi-Sectoral Working Group to address the problem of declining hake (Merluccius gayi peruanus) stocks detected by IMARPE. The research institute found that there has been a marked reduction in the hake population, which now consists mainly of juveniles. The primary objective of the working group will be to implement a recovery plan to improve stock levels until the target reference point is reached. Other issues to be addressed include improving transparency, minimizing illegal fishing and implementing an ecosystem approach. In the meatime interim measures have been taken to protect the stock in 2012. Under these management measures, which will last until 31 December 2012, a TAC of 8 600 tonnes has been set. The fishing season will end once the quota has been caught. In the last Statistical Bulletin, the Ministry indicated that between January and October 2011 landings of hake reached 27 293 tonnes.

Namibia

The hake sector continued to be the leading fisheries sector, attracting NAD 287 million in investment in 2011. Hake stocks have remained relatively stable in the past year, although exports of hake decreased slightly, probably as a result of the global economic problems in 2010 and 2011. The hake industry employs some 13 380 workers.

Spain

In Galicia the annual turnover of hake in fish markets dropped considerably. Four years ago, hake turnover represented 21% of the total. Last year it dropped to 11%, making around EUR 54 million out of EUR 475 million.