The Argentine fishing sector stands at a pivotal moment. Recent data place it as the eighth-largest export segment in the national economy, trailing staples like soybeans, automotive products, petroleum products, corn, meat, precious metals, and barley. A disconnect between the sector’s financial weight and policymakers’ understanding has been highlighted by a leading industry voice. Delegations of businesspeople have briefed legislators on what defines a fishing zone, the implications of a 200-mile offshore boundary, and the diversity of hake species found in Argentine waters. Although the constitution guarantees equal access to employment based on merit, some officials must tread carefully when drafting laws of this magnitude. The debate centers on proposals from a high-profile ultra-liberal plan that seeks full liberalization of fishing, potentially risking the long-standing presence and operations of Galician-owned fleets in the country. The industry now faces a pressing task: mobilizing MPs and senators to oppose sweeping liberalization and protect a business valued at over 400 million euros annually.
In essence, the Casa Rosada government appears to be pursuing two aggressive strategies that threaten the sector. One involves a broad auction of international fishing permits and widened access that could allow entry at ports without mandatory local hiring or investment commitments. This approach risks eroding decades of established rights held by Galician capital in Argentina. The other is a proposed 15 percent export tax on all fishing products. Industry insiders warn that the new levy would flow directly into government coffers and could strain company balance sheets. For Galician groups with a strong footprint in Argentina—such as Iberconsa, Nueva Pescanova, Profand, Wofco, Vieira, Videmar, and Gandón—the annual impact could exceed 50 million euros. With rising costs and uncertain profitability, many fear breakeven pressures will intensify. Both measures are bundled into the Decree of Need and Urgency (DNU 30/2023), which proponents aim to push through within the month.
The fisheries chambers align with Patagonian provincial governors and the Buenos Aires administration. Their messaging conveys urgency and risk to regional economies that rely on seafood production. A veteran shipowner operating several vessels and processing plants in Mar del Plata noted a pervasive lack of information and broader mismanagement within the sector that hinders its ability to market its activity effectively. Could a macro decree or DNU navigate through legislative chambers to avert disaster? For now, observers describe a landscape of fragile guarantees and aspirational promises that may or may not materialize. The atmosphere remains heated as Milei’s threshold looms, framing a turning point for the industry. Pescare, a well-known Mar del Plata portal, has cited last year’s price volatility, noting some products faced substantial losses per ton. In shrimp alone, losses approached $300 per ton, while the Galician brands experience deficits that exceed tens of millions of euros when factoring fleet, processing, and logistics costs. Average post-pandemic price benchmarks in 2021 reached about $7,250 per ton, but Christmas-season activity yielded little stimulus in certain markets. A pattern of reduced demand and price softness complicates the sector’s outlook.
Support from Patagonia’s regional leaders—Gustavo Melella of Tierra del Fuego, Claudio Vidal of Santa Cruz, Ignacio Torres of Chubut, Rolando Figueroa of Neuquén, and Alberto Weretilneck of Río Negro—and from Buenos Aires Governor Axel Kicillof underscores how quickly regional economies could be jeopardized by policy shifts. The proposed changes would enact a flat 15 percent export tax across all products, with no regard for processing stage or employment effects in base towns like Puerto Deseado, Mar del Plata, or Puerto Madryn. Pablo Trueba, secretary general of the Sea Fishermen’s Association, emphasized that the policy could leave producers without market tools or incentives to develop value-added operations and could force competitors to rely on aquaculture or commodity-grade offerings. A broader consequence is the risk of marginalizing traditional fisheries and the communities that depend on them.
Argentina’s maritime policy moves are drawing international attention as well. The entry of foreign shipowners, particularly from Asia, is seen as a potential consequence of the proposed framework. Critics argue that the combination of license auctions and export taxation could transform the country into a resource-extraction hub, diminishing the competitive position of local fleets. The overarching sentiment among sources close to the sector is that Milei’s DNU, if enacted without adjustments, would disrupt established laws and undermine a sector that supports thousands of jobs and substantial regional economic activity. The broader question remains whether the legislative chambers can counterbalance this approach with a more balanced and growth-oriented framework that preserves national interests while inviting responsible investment.
Notes from industry insiders caution that the debate is far from settled. The DNU’s fate will hinge on a coalition of lawmakers who recognize the sector’s importance to local economies and its broader export potential. In the meantime, the sector continues to wrestle with pricing pressures, currency fluctuations, and the need to modernize fleet and processing capabilities to maintain competitiveness on the global stage. The path forward will require careful negotiation, transparent information sharing, and a commitment to protecting communities that rely on fishing for livelihoods and regional development. The dialogue remains ongoing as policymakers weigh the competing demands of domestic employment, sustainable resource management, and international market dynamics. ”