The Playa-Da-Cativa: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

On February 1, 2026, the Argentine Naval Prefecture identified the trawler 'Playa de Cativa' engaging in suspected illegal fishing operations off the coast of Chubut, situated within Argentina's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Utilizing the sophisticated Coast Guard System, a surveillance platform managed by the National Maritime Authority, the authorities tracked the vessel as it operated at speeds of under four knots for about 45 minutes, raising suspicions of trawling activity. This conduct potentially breaches Law No. 24,922, which governs the exploitation and conservation of fishery resources within Argentina's jurisdictional waters. Prior to this incident, on January 29, the maritime officials had already alerted the trawler's captain about its proximity to the EEZ boundary. The captain received clear instructions to maintain a safe distance to prevent unintended incursions. In another recent event, just twenty days earlier, foreign fishing vessel 'Bao Feng', flying the Vanuatu flag, was reported fishing illegally in the EEZ near Camarones Bay after its arrival on January 10, triggering swift intervention from Argentine authorities. For further details, view the report with accompanying image here: [La Arena](https://www.laarena.com.ar/la-region/captan-buque-pesquero-extranjero-con-indicios-de-pesca-ilegal-20262214290).