| In order to better understand the behaviour of the trawler processing freezer fleet in the Argentine Sea, an analysis of yields and structural characteristics for the 1989-98 period was carried out. The relationship between structural variables and yield expressed in kilos per day was explained with a simplified asymptotic model. The fleet was divided into four homogeneous strata. Common hake is the target of stratum I and stratum II which are deeply affected by overfishing of the species. As of 1993, in stratum III, common hake was replaced by other pelagic and demersal species, mainly hoki. In fleet stratum IV southern blue whiting and hoki were caught. Catches of the latter increased during the last three years. |
