The seismic activity of oil exploration and an increase in research vessels is thought to have led to a decline in croaker, reports ElObservador.
"It is a fact that croaker that spawned on the Uruguayan coast went to Brazil and now spawn there," said Carlos Fagúndez, leader of the National Trade Union of Workers of the Ocean and Allied Union (SUNTMA).
This migration negatively affected the business - both companies and artisanal fishermen.
Ecuador has also experienced similar problems. Last year President Rafael Correa decided to stop seismic exploration for four months in the Gulf of Guayaquil due to growing fish kills.
