Predation in the Paraná River occurs due to the lush network of channels and streams of the Paraná Delta, an ecosystem of vital importance that is under the growing threat of large-scale illegal fishing.
Raw testimonies, captured in audio recordings accessed by Noticias Ambientales, expose an alarming reality: the massive extraction of dorado, an emblematic and protected species, is carried out with a disconcerting impunity in the face of the apparent inaction of the competent authorities.
Frustration and helplessness resonate in the voices of those who witness predation in the Paraná River. A local guide, in one of the audio recordings, describes with anguish the situation: “They are destroying everything.” His attempts to alert the Argentine Naval Prefecture, the Tigre Operations Center (COT), and other entities were in vain: “no one paid attention”. His concern focuses on the alarming selectivity of the fishing, where “they are all dorado, there is not a single sábalo“, pointing out Arroyo Claro and the area of “Villa La Ñata” as points of discharge for this illicit activity.
Another equally revealing testimony details a large-scale operation in Arribeños Sur. The recording describes how, in the early hours of the morning, the activity is frenetic: “they loaded two trucks, a semi, and a sider at 6 in the morning“.
The situation was repeated shortly after with the circulation of “two more trucks” loaded. The authorities’ response to the report was disheartening: “I called the coastguard, they told me they were on their way, I called the police and they told me they had no jurisdiction.” The clear description of the cargo leaves no room for doubt: “they took out all dorados. All the crates full of dorados”, with the trucks located on “the land over Arribeños Sur“.
These testimonies obtained by Noticias Ambientales, whom we keep anonymous at the request of the declarants, paint a concerning picture that demands urgent attention. The apparent freedom with which these illegal fishermen operate, coupled with the lack of an effective response from the authorities, generates deep concern about the future of the dorado and the ecological balance of the Delta.
The legal framework and the reality of illegal fishing
Commercial fishing of dorado is explicitly prohibited in Argentina by Law 26.021, which declares this species of national interest, prioritizing its touristic and ecological value. The regulation restricts its capture to sport fishing with catch and release. In the province of Buenos Aires, the Directorate of Fishing and Aquaculture Activities establishes specific regulations, such as minimum sizes and fishing bans, especially during the reproduction season. Locally, the municipality of Tigre complements these rules with restrictions in certain areas.
However, as the audio recordings show, the reality in the Delta seems far from what the law establishes. Illegal fishing persists, threatening the survival of the dorado and the delicate balance of the ecosystem.
A local fisherman, whose voice is heard in the audio recordings, laments: “Illegal fishing is reducing the number of specimens, making it increasingly difficult to find dorados in some key areas.”
Recent studies warn about the impact of the decrease in dorado population on the food chain of the Delta, which could generate an ecological imbalance with unpredictable consequences. The lack of effective control and severe penalties allows this illegal activity to continue thriving.
The urgent need for action
Combating illegal dorado fishing in the Paraná Delta requires a coordinated and urgent effort. It is essential to strengthen controls by agencies such as the Argentine Naval Prefecture, among others, providing them with the necessary resources for effective oversight.
Likewise, environmental education and the promotion of catch and release fishing by sports fishing organizations are crucial tools.
Experts agree on the need to strengthen sanctions for those who violate the law and to intensify surveillance at critical points in the Delta.
Awareness campaigns aimed at both fishermen and fish traders are equally important to foster a change in attitude.
Dorado in danger, Delta at risk
The dorado, a symbol of the natural wealth of the Argentinian rivers, faces a serious threat from predation in the Paraná River. Despite the existence of laws aimed at protecting it, the lack of effective controls and apparent inaction against massive illegal fishing
