The British usurpers of the Malvinas are not alone. They sustain the operation. They fish, stockpile, export, and sell. They are wholesalers and retailers. They also provide logistics and service providers to cover all the needs of the coordinated operation.
Following recent publications in which the British colonial government established in the Malvinas Islands provides statistical information on catches and fishing volumes in the waters surrounding the southern archipelago, Agenda Malvinas is once again monetizing the volume of plunder they themselves declare.
The data was provided by James Wilson , the colony's Director of Natural Resources, who indicated that, from the beginning of 2025 through week 21, some 619 tons of the highly valuable Patagonian toothfish have been caught in 95 days of deep-sea longline fishing . And that, during the first Loligo squid season, which closed on April 27, a total declared catch of 37,493 tons was achieved, "the lowest for a first season since 2020, but above the long-term average."
Thus, based on information verified in the US, European, and Argentine markets , in wholesale sales alone, the 619 tons of Black Hake acquire an average value in US dollars of 11,504,116 . We followed the same procedure with the squid. The 37,493 tons of squid are equivalent to the other 114,353,650 tons, in the same currency . A total of US$125,857,766 in the first 100 days of 2025.
Black hake: The most sought-after in the world
Due to its low availability, the international value of a ton of black hake is one of the most sought-after in the world.
For example, in the United States, hake is considered a gourmet product . Wholesale prices range from US$11,170 to US$26,000 per ton , which translates to a very high value per kilogram for final consumption or retail sale. Meanwhile, in the retail market, prices can exceed US$110 per kg , or even more.
In Europe, prices are also high . The value in tons is very similar to that in the United States. And the data available from fishmongers or wholesale markets in Spain, for example, range from US$58 to US$180 or more, depending on the country and establishment.
However, the largest consumer of black hake is China , where its value is around US$22,000 per ton .
In Argentina, black hake is a valuable resource, and most of the catch is exported . Consumer prices are high. Prices of US$65 per kilogram have been found in specialized fishmongers, and up to US$110 per kilogram for whole black hake in some cases. Frozen black hake fillets can cost around US$14 per 350 grams , which translates to a value of approximately US$35 per kilogram.
Squid: Britain's economic base in the Malvinas
Regarding the squid caught in the Malvinas area (generally the Illex argentinus species, or squid, although Loligo gahi is also caught), it is the most important economic activity for the colonial government of the Malvina Islands. The licenses they grant generate multimillion-dollar revenues.
In the United States, wholesale market ; prices for Illex squid (usually frozen) can vary widely, but export prices for whole or tube-shaped squid have been around US$2,600–3,500 per ton (i.e., between US$2.60 and US$ 3.50 per kg). On the retail market, whole frozen squid can be found from US$8.80 to US$17.60 per kg . Processed products (rings, cleaned tubes) are usually more expensive.
Europe, and Spain in particular, is a major importer of squid, including that from the Malvinas . Wholesale prices for export to Europe can vary, but are similar to those in the U.S. In the Spanish retail market, whole fresh or frozen squid can cost between $8 and $18 per kilogram .
China is one of the main destinations for Illex squid, both for domestic consumption and for reprocessing and re-export. Wholesale prices for whole frozen squid can range between US$1.05 and US$1.40 per kilogram in large volumes; an average price of US$2,659 per ton has been reported in January 2025 .
In Argentina, although most of the squid is exported, it is also consumed domestically . Whole frozen squid can be found in fishmongers or supermarkets at prices ranging from US$13 to US$18 per kilogram.
The two dishes in restaurants
Black Hake in the world
The price of a plate of black hake in a restaurant varies greatly depending on the type of restaurant (casual, fine dining), the city, the chef's reputation, and the preparation.
In the United States, in fine-dining restaurants in cities like New York or Los Angeles, a plate of black hake can easily cost between $50 and $100, or even more.
European countries (European Community): Similar to the US, in high-end restaurants in cities like Paris, London, Rome, or Barcelona, a plate of black hake could range from $46 to $93 or more.
In China, in high-end or seafood-focused restaurants in large cities like Beijing or Shanghai , a plate of black hake is also expensive, exceeding US$40 and US$70, and even much more in top-tier establishments.
In Argentina, where much of the black hake is exported, finding it in restaurants is a luxury . In high-end restaurants in Buenos Aires, a plate of black hake can cost between $36 and $75. In Ushuaia, due to the quality of the meat and the high culinary quality achieved by the fish caught within its jurisdiction, it exceeds these prices in several restaurants.
Our squid in restaurants
Squid is a versatile ingredient, and its price in a restaurant will depend on the preparation, the type of establishment, and the location. It's generally more affordable than black hake.
In the United States, a dish with fried or grilled calamari rings can cost between $15 and $30 in restaurants. In more upscale seafood establishments, a more elaborate dish with calamari could cost up to $25. and 40.
In European countries—Spain, Italy, Greece, and other nations with a long tradition of seafood consumption —a plate of squid (whether fried, grilled, in its own ink, etc.) can cost between $14 and $29 in an average restaurant. In more exclusive restaurants or with gourmet dishes, the price is higher.
China. Squid is very popular in Chinese cuisine . A dish of sautéed, grilled, or squid in soup at an average restaurant costs between $8 and $16 . At high-end seafood restaurants, where higher-quality squid or special preparations are used, the price is significantly higher.
Argentina. At seafood restaurants or grills that offer squid, a plate of rabas (fried squid rings), calamari Provençal, or grilled squid ranges from $15 to $25, depending on the location and the portion.
Other data on the looting
In 8,786 days of illegally granted B squid jiggers, along with another 286 days of G squid trawlers, a catch of 72,216 tons of Illex squid has been achieved.
The same sources indicate that during 609 days of fishing for varieties with fins and by trawling, 20,965 tons of common hake were caught, which resulted in a record for the year.
It was also reported that the reported catch of Illex argentinus in 2024 reached 146,689 tons, with 94.5% of that volume being accounted for by the jigger fleet. This was the fourth highest annual catch since 2014.
Meanwhile, the total catch of Doryteuthis gahi, or Malvinas squid, or Loligo, for fishing vessels operating under License C was 47,488 tons . The catch of Loligo in other fisheries was 1,300 tons.
The total catch volume of all Loligo licenses (including research cruises) in 2024 was therefore 48,888 tonnes, the fourth lowest in the last ten years and since 2016.
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