The Convergence Ecosystem in the Southwest Atlantic
161
1996), and thus might become more frequent in the SW Atlantic if ozone
layer degradation persists. Finally, the handling of ship ballast water is
likely to introduce toxic microalgae cysts and exotic species of seaweed,
fish, crustaceans, polychaetes, and mollusks to this region.
11.7 Management Considerations
In southern Brazil, the annual onboard discard of small demersal fishes
and elasmobranchs (17-25 x 10 3 tons) during pair-, otter-, and double-ring
trawling amounts to about 36 o/o of the landed catch (Haimovici 1998).
Long-lived elasmobranch species with low reproduction rates are easily
impacted by growing fishing pressure, thus the absence of fishery regulations presents management and conservation problems for this resource
(Bonfil1994). In Argentina, total allowable catch (TAC) quotas have recently been applied to hake fisheries and fishing effort on the shortfin squid
(Illex argentinus) is being controlled (FAO 1997). Closed seasons, limited
boat registration and size, and control of nominal fishing effort are also
being applied to other fisheries. However, an open access regime still prevails for most artisanal and small scale fisheries and poor or lack of
enforcement has contributed to overexploitation and depletion of resources. To address the growing concern about the state of fish stocks and
fisheries in the region, Argentina and Uruguay established a common
fishing zone and a joint technical commission for the Rio de la Plata Maritime Front in the early 1970s which promotes scientific meetings and joint
technical reports. In Brazil, surveys of southeastern and southern pelagic
and demersal stocks (Living Resources of the Exclusive Economic Zone,
REVIZEE) will permit the implementation of a more realistic and scientific-based fishery policy. However, despite shared fishery resources among
the three coastal countries, research cooperation and common management efforts are lacking.
The governments of Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina have distinct coastal
zone management programs and policies and the absence of comparable
information on status and trends of the ecosystem has been an obstacle. In
Brazil, the National Coastal Management Program (GERCO) has significantly advanced during the last decade. In Uruguay, programs for Sustainable Development of the Coastal Zone of the Rio de la Plata (ECOPLATA)
and Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development of the
Eastern Wetlands (PROBIDES) support management and restoration of
coastal ecosystems. In Argentina, conservation initiatives have led to
increased support for a national coastal policy. All three governments
161
1996), and thus might become more frequent in the SW Atlantic if ozone
layer degradation persists. Finally, the handling of ship ballast water is
likely to introduce toxic microalgae cysts and exotic species of seaweed,
fish, crustaceans, polychaetes, and mollusks to this region.
11.7 Management Considerations
In southern Brazil, the annual onboard discard of small demersal fishes
and elasmobranchs (17-25 x 10 3 tons) during pair-, otter-, and double-ring
trawling amounts to about 36 o/o of the landed catch (Haimovici 1998).
Long-lived elasmobranch species with low reproduction rates are easily
impacted by growing fishing pressure, thus the absence of fishery regulations presents management and conservation problems for this resource
(Bonfil1994). In Argentina, total allowable catch (TAC) quotas have recently been applied to hake fisheries and fishing effort on the shortfin squid
(Illex argentinus) is being controlled (FAO 1997). Closed seasons, limited
boat registration and size, and control of nominal fishing effort are also
being applied to other fisheries. However, an open access regime still prevails for most artisanal and small scale fisheries and poor or lack of
enforcement has contributed to overexploitation and depletion of resources. To address the growing concern about the state of fish stocks and
fisheries in the region, Argentina and Uruguay established a common
fishing zone and a joint technical commission for the Rio de la Plata Maritime Front in the early 1970s which promotes scientific meetings and joint
technical reports. In Brazil, surveys of southeastern and southern pelagic
and demersal stocks (Living Resources of the Exclusive Economic Zone,
REVIZEE) will permit the implementation of a more realistic and scientific-based fishery policy. However, despite shared fishery resources among
the three coastal countries, research cooperation and common management efforts are lacking.
The governments of Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina have distinct coastal
zone management programs and policies and the absence of comparable
information on status and trends of the ecosystem has been an obstacle. In
Brazil, the National Coastal Management Program (GERCO) has significantly advanced during the last decade. In Uruguay, programs for Sustainable Development of the Coastal Zone of the Rio de la Plata (ECOPLATA)
and Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development of the
Eastern Wetlands (PROBIDES) support management and restoration of
coastal ecosystems. In Argentina, conservation initiatives have led to
increased support for a national coastal policy. All three governments