Ecobreves – ANTARCTICA: Fish and Birds in Danger

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BUENOS AIRES, May 10 2004 (IPS) - The bird and fish species of Antarctica are threatened by excessive fishing, says a study by Argentine scientists. The most affected fish are the icefish (Cryodraco antarcticus) and the Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides), and various species of albatross and petrels are killed, as they often get caught on the hooks of the fishing nets, Beatriz González, an expert from the science faculty at the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), told Tierramérica.

Scientists from UBA, the Argentine Antarctic Institute and the National Institute for Fisheries Development and Research carried out the study to establish the evolution of big fish species that do not travel in schools.

The experts say the Patagonian toothfish, which has a low reproduction rate, is endangered because of its high commercial value, while the icefish, also a dinner table favorite, suffers from excessive and illegal fishing, González said.