The Argentine provinces of Corrientes and Chaco have declared a temporary fishing ban on surubí catfish in a shared stretch of the Paraná River, aiming to protect the species during a period of mass aggregation of fish. The measure was formalized on May 29 through provisions issued by the environmental agencies of both jurisdictions. The Paraná River forms the Paraguay-Paraná waterway, which is of major importance to Paraguay's trade and ecology.
The Corrientes Natural Resources Directorate published Provision No. 618, which prohibits all forms of fishing — commercial and sport — between kilometers 1,232 and 1,238 of the Paraná River, in the northern area of Isla Pelón. According to the agency, the large concentration of surubí specimens in that sector increases the species' vulnerability to fishing activity.
On the Chaco side, the Directorate of Protected Areas and Biodiversity issued Provision No. 023, which also temporarily suspends commercial, sport, and subsistence fishing in the affected area. The coordination between the two provinces is justified by the fact that the stretch involves shared waters.
The resolutions establish that the ban will remain in effect until technical and biological teams determine that the situation has normalized. In the meantime, environmental enforcement agencies will step up controls and surveillance operations. Those who violate the prohibition may face sanctions, fines, and even disqualifications under current legislation.
The surubí is one of the most representative species of the Paraná River basin and plays a fundamental role in the ecological balance of aquatic environments, acting as a predator fish that regulates populations of other species. Beyond its biological importance, the fish holds significant economic value for riverside communities, being one of the most sought-after species for sport fishing and forming part of commercial activity in various localities along the Argentine littoral region.
Experts warn that overfishing, pollution, and disruptions to the river's natural cycles can seriously affect surubí populations. Temporary fishing bans are considered essential tools to ensure the reproduction and development of new specimens, particularly during the periods of movement and mass concentrations associated with the species' reproductive process.