In the framework of “Mare Nostrum IX”, since March 1, the use of ships and aircraft has been coordinated to conduct this new Operation of Surveillance and Control of Maritime Spaces, despite the prevailing inclement weather.
Under the operational control of the Joint Maritime Command, an agency under the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces, the flights were conducted with P-3C Orion aircraft of the Naval Air Exploration Squadron, under the Naval Aviation Command of the Argentine Navy, based at the Trelew Naval Air Base.
While the participating ships are the corvette ARA “Espora”, belonging to the Corvette Division, based at the Puerto Belgrano Naval Base, and the oceanic patrol vessel ARA “Contraalmirante Cordero”, of the Maritime Patrol Division, with mooring at the Mar del Plata Naval Base.
The binomial ship-aircraft generates a special synergy that results in greater surveillance and deterrence capabilities.
This operation is one of those that are routinely conducted and covers a large maritime area, which allows the observation and monitoring of concentrations of foreign fishing vessels operating outside the outer limit of the Argentine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
This facilitates the analysis of the activity conducted by the several types of fishing vessels that operate there, which are mostly jiggers, dedicated exclusively to squid fishing using squid and trawlers, dedicated to fishing for tail fish such as hake.
Monitoring is not only limited to capture units. In addition, the logistics and maintenance of tankers and reefers that allow the fishing fleet to operate for prolonged periods are observed. Photographic records, data, and identification marks were obtained from these vessels, information that updates the comprehensive database of the Joint Maritime Command.
Through the execution of Operation “Mare Nostrum IX”, the Argentine Republic reaffirms its firm commitment to the defense of sovereign interests at sea and strengthens the National Defense System through actions of deterrence, control and strategic alert in jurisdictional waters.