Argentina’s Squid Fishery Gets Off to a Flying Start, Exceeding 139,000 Tons in the First Quarter and Aiming for a New Record

The 2026 Argentine squid fishing season has made a strong start. Despite a brief slowdown in early March, the industry quickly regained momentum. The first-quarter catch volume has far exceeded that of the same period last year, reflecting a solid recovery in fishery resources and making it highly likely that the annual landing record will be broken, injecting strong impetus into Argentina’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.

Latest fishing data shows that from January to March 2026, Argentina’s total squid landings reached 139,418.7 tonnes. With March still ongoing, this figure already far surpasses the 97,829.9 tonnes recorded in the same period of 2025, indicating a sharp rise in overall fishery activity and resource availability. On a monthly basis, fishing operations have maintained steady progress: landings stood at 49,015.9 tonnes in January, with high resource concentration at the start of the season supporting smooth operations; output rose to 72,439.5 tonnes in February as fleets adopted multi-site fishing and efficient strategies to boost catches significantly; although early March faced disruptions, landings have reached 17,963.3 tonnes so far, with overall fishing intensity remaining high.

The temporary drop in fishing efficiency in early March was mainly caused by shifts in the distribution and migration of squid stocks at sea, which directly reduced hourly catches, prolonged loading cycles, and widened regional disparities in fishing activity. However, this situation did not last. Recently, squid resources have re-concentrated, and the efficiency of jigging fleets has quickly returned to early-season levels. The average daily catch per vessel has stabilized at around 35 tonnes, with some boats reaching 40 tonnes, a clear sign of restored resource density.

Fleet operating reports also confirm the improving outlook. As catch density and fishing ground concentration rebound, fleet operations have returned to normal. Higher per-vessel catches have greatly shortened loading times and significantly reduced idle voyages, effectively improving overall efficiency. Although regional differences in fishing activity persist, overall intensity and activity are notably higher than at the beginning of the year, laying a solid foundation for subsequent operations.

This strong first-quarter performance is driven by two key factors: improved resource concentration in fishing grounds, providing an abundant resource base, and optimized fleet efficiency, with scientific strategies unlocking full fishing capacity. This impressive start bodes well for the full year. In 2025, Argentina’s total squid landings hit 203,956 tonnes, a 17-year high. Having already surpassed 139,000 tonnes in the first three months of 2026, the sector is well on track to set a new annual record.

Argentina’s robust squid fishing performance is not only a result of effective fisheries management and sustainable fishing practices but will also ensure ample supply for the global squid trade. As a major supplier to the world squid market, Argentina’s strong start to the fishing season is expected to help stabilize international squid prices while creating new growth opportunities for upstream and downstream industries including seafood processing and import-export trade.

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